Enforcement of First Nations laws, including Indian Act by-laws is complex because the police do not enforce First Nations laws, and K’ómoks does not have enforcement officers or a court. K’ómoks is trying to change this and was successful in making the police enforce a K’ómoks law, enacted under the Land Code, against a tenant. But we had to go to court to do that, and it was costly.
Under treaty, as well as under the Land Code, we are trying to fix this problem to ensure that K’ómoks laws are enforceable laws, once there is the equivalent of a “court order” under the K’ómoks Justice Tribunal. If we are successful, then the police can be compelled to enforce our laws.
The police are required to enforce BC and federal laws of general application on Indian Reserve lands and on Treaty Settlement Lands.