May 19, 2026
Comox Valley

K’ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum Stand Confident in Modern Treaty Process

BRITISH COLUMBIA —  May 19, 2026 — We – K’ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum First Nations – remain confident in the modern treaty process, the mandates provided by our members through ratification, our efforts in reconciling differences over shared territories and the extensive Crown consultation efforts undertaken over many years.

Today, our Nations stand proud of the work that has been accomplished over decades by our members, leadership, negotiators, Elders, and community members. Through years of hard work, difficult conversations, relationship-building, and persistence, we have helped to fundamentally strengthen and modernize treaties for the future while helping shape a stronger path toward reconciliation for generations to come.

For many of our members, these treaties represent hope, certainty, opportunity, and a future beyond the restrictions of the Indian Act — a future where our Nations can make more of our own decisions, strengthen governance, protect our cultures and lands, and create greater opportunities for future generations. Across our Nations, there is growing excitement as we prepare together for implementation and the next chapter of self-government. K’ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum are actively working together toward implementation planning, governance transition, law development, and capacity-building as we prepare for this next chapter together. We also believe these treaties will create long-term social, cultural, and economic benefits for everyone living and working throughout K’ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum territories through stronger partnerships, greater certainty, and shared prosperity. These treaties do not impact private lands and do not change private property ownership.

Recent calls for a “180-day pause” on treaty legislation (Kitselas Treaty Act and K’ómoks Treaty Act) are ill informed and potentially disruptive. After the provincial treaty legislation is enacted, it will be another year before the federal treaty legislation is introduced and a further year for the treaties to take effect. If both Wei Wai Kum and Lax Kw’alaams are genuinely interested in reconciliation, then this two-year time frame following the enactment of the provincial treaty legislation provides an ideal period to achieve reconciliation.

Our Nations have engaged in extensive consultation and discussions with neighbouring First Nations throughout 25 years of negotiations, particularly with Nations that share areas of interest, including Wei Wai Kum First Nation and Lax Kw’alaams Band, and we will continue to do so. Our efforts have resulted in successful protocols, understandings, and long-standing working relationships with many of our neighbors.

K’ómoks engaged in treaty negotiations alongside Wei Wai Kum between 1999 and 2006 before irreconcilable differences resulted in us choosing separate paths. Similarly, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum participated for many years under the umbrella of the Tsimshian Tribal Council alongside Lax Kw’alaams before the Tribal Council eventually disbanded. If both Wei Wai Kum and Lax Kw’alaams choose the treaty path, we will give them our full support.

However, we are deeply concerned by the continued spread of blatantly incorrect information regarding our efforts to reconcile shared territory issues and the Crown’s consultation history. Public claims being advanced by Wei Wai Kum and Lax Kw’alaams are not supported by evidence.

“Our Nations stand firmly behind the integrity of the treaty process and the democratic mandates provided by our people,” our Chiefs declared in a joint statement. “These treaties were ratified following years of community engagement, education, consultation, and open dialogue. Attempts to undermine that process through misinformation do not change the facts.”

Modern treaties do not extinguish or eliminate the rights of other First Nations. The opposite is true. Modern treaties are purposefully designed to protect the rights of First Nations where there is a shared territorial history, and treaties must be amended if the rights of other First Nations are adversely impacted. Existing Aboriginal rights and title assertions remain protected under the Constitution and Canadian law.

As we move forward together, K’ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum remain committed to respectful dialogue, reconciliation, and relationship-building with neighbouring Nations while continuing to defend the integrity of the treaty process and the work undertaken over decades by our members, leadership, negotiators, Elders, and community members.

Media Contacts:

K’ómoks First Nation
Communications Office
Melissa Quocksister
Quocksister.consulting@gmail.com 

 

Kitselas First Nation
Communications Office
Dr. David Try
sr.negotiator@kitselas.com

 

Kitsumkalum First Nation
Communications Office
Melissa Quocksister
Quocksister.consulting@gmail.com