Treaty Information

Treaty Vision

1. Vision & Objectives

Moving Forward Together, in the context of the K’ómoks Vision and Values, the K’ómoks Treaty has outlined the following objectives:

  • Recognizing the K’ómoks aboriginal rights and title and the inherent right to self-government
  • Reconciling differences over lands and resource ownership and jurisdiction through a new treaty relationship that is flexible and intended to evolve over time
  • Providing for an effective and sustainable K’ómoks self-government through, among other things, a common commitment to capacity building and a new and enhanced fiscal relationship
  • Enhancing economic opportunities for K’ómoks, K’ómoks members and the surrounding community
  • Preserving, revitalizing, and strengthening of the culture, language, and heritage of the K’ómoks First Nation

2. K’ómoks First Nation Treaty

A K’ómoks Treaty will be different than any treaty negotiated in modern history. Previous treaties required “certainty” which essentially means that aboriginal rights are exchanged or “extinguished” for treaty rights. These older treaties were “Final Agreements” and did not allow for the inclusion of new rights based on new developments in the law, or on innovations in other treaties. 

A K’ómoks Treaty will be a living agreement that involves:

  • The recognition of Aboriginal Rights and Title, including the Inherent Right to Self-Government
  • No extinguishment of rights
  • Periodic Renewal which obliges the parties to renew the treaty as a result of changing law and policy or unforeseen circumstances
  • The ability to add new aboriginal rights recognized by the courts 
  • Binding arbitration if the Crown is not negotiating in good faith and the award of “punitive damages” to encourage good behaviour

Key elements of our negotiations to date include:

  • A commitment by the Crown to align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
  • Self-government, based on the K’ómoks Constitution
  • Loan forgiveness   
  • Prime Lands that could total up to 12,500 acres, including the entire Goose Spit, to K’ómoks
  • Co-management/shared governance throughout the KFN territory

3. Treaty Process

K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) has been involved in treaty negotiations since 1994. There are six stages in the BC treaty process. On March 24 2012, K’ómoks signed the Agreement in Principle (Stage 4) with British Columbia and Canada and entered into Stage 5 negotiations. K’ómoks intends to complete its treaty negotiations during the 2021/2022 fiscal year.

More information on the BC treaty process can be found on the British Columbia Treaty Commission website www.bctreaty.ca.

Summary of Treaty

An Overview of the Treaty

The K’ómoks First Nations Treaty will be a living agreement, unlike any other treaty negotiated in modern history. Below you will find information related to the current treaty chapters, an overview of how it will affect the nation, and frequently asked questions related to the treaty process.

K’ómoks First Nation members can access all Treaty information through the Treaty Hawk Communications app.

Please contact treaty@komoks.ca if any questions.

Treaty Team


The K’ómoks Chief and Council have oversight of the Treaty Team and participate in all internal sessions and all tri-partite negotiations with Canada and British Columbia. The K’ómoks Chief Negotiator reports to the Chief and Council. In addition to Chief and Council, members of the treaty team include:

Ashley is a proud member of the K’ómoks First Nation and began her role as the Eligibility & Enrollment Coordinator in early 2023. She has a background in business and accounting, with a BBA in General Management and a Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting. She has worked in a variety of industries, from public accounting to retail, and so brings a variety of practical skills to her position…

Ashley Templeman, Eligibility & Enrollment Coordinator (on Mat Leave)

Ashley Wright is a proud K’ómoks member. Since 2018, She has been consulting her services to First Nations, her primary client is K’ómoks First Nation where she is the Treaty Manager, managing the treaty team, capacity building, and projects. She has experience in community planning and engagement, project management, work planning and budgeting, people management and leadership, and preparing a Nation for self-government…

Ashley Wright, Treaty Manager

Christy is a proud member of K’ómoks First Nation, living in her traditional territory on Vancouver Island. Christy has authentically navigated both Indigenous and non-indigenous worlds while working with the resource sector and Indigenous communities for over 25 years…

Christy Smith, Special Projects Consultant

My traditional name is Negaga. My lineage is Tlingit, Namgis, Kwaguilt, Carrier Sekani and K’ómoks. I was born in K’ómoks, daughter of Edna Frank (K’ómoks) and father Raymond Prince (Carrier Sekani). I have been married to Rock Pare for 53 years, with one son and five grandchildren. I am active in my community, volunteering on committees and helping others. I have found a lot of peace in my healing with all my cultural connections and family…

Fernanda Pare, K’ómoks Elder

I am Jeanette Laberge, Axumas, Pathlelagalidzi and a K’ómoks member. I am the daughter of Danielle Laberge and Ralph Amos. I work with I-Hos gallery part-time. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Sociology and a diploma in Social Services with First Nations option. I have attended Treaty meetings over the years while at times assisting my gran, Fran Prince. I will be assisting with communications, community engagement, and other administrative duties…

Jeanette Laberge, Treaty Office Coordinator (on Mat Leave)

Mark is a Métis lawyer with an extensive background in Treaty negotiations, Constitutional negotiations, and Aboriginal law. Mark worked with the Privy Council in Ottawa for five years on Aboriginal constitutional matters, subsequently worked as Legal Counsel for the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat, and then with the Government of British Columbia as a Chief Treaty Negotiator…

Mark L’Hirondelle Stevenson, Chief Negotiator

Melissa is a member of the K’ómoks First Nation, of Northern Coast Salish ancestry, has relations from Nuu-chah-nulth and Cowichan Nations, and is married into a Laich-kwil-tachs family. Melissa’s interest in the Treaty process evolved from an early age through watching her grandfather Ernie Hardy Senior, who was elected Chief for 24 years, begin the process. In 2008, she was hired as Communications/Assistant Negotiator trainee for the K’ómoks First Nation…

Melissa Quocksister, Treaty Consultant

Ron is a professional forester who was born, raised and lived on Vancouver Island for most of his life. Ron has a long history of working with government, industry, and for the last 25 years, in forestry with First Nation Communities in Coastal British Columbia. For the past 16 years, Ron has assisted First Nations in the Treaty Process, most recently as co-negotiator for the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nation and technical support to the Maa-Nulth Treaty Society…

Ron Frank, Assistant Negotiator

Tiffany Gee is a proud member of the K’ómoks community, bringing a diverse background in Business Management, Finance, KFN Administration, and Digital Marketing to the K’ómoks First Nation Treaty Team. She is excited to bring her expertise and passion for our community’s growth and well-being to the team…

Tiffany Gee, Eligibility & Enrollment Coordinator

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