The Lax Kw’alaams First Nations, along with Gitxaała, Gitga’at and the Kitasoo/Xai’xais announced their opposition to Canada and British Columbia initialing treaties with neighbouring nations Kitsumkalum and Kitsalus last week.
In a statement, Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree said, “The Kitsumkalum Treaty will be a significant step for the Kitsumkalum people. This opens the doors to transformative pathways for self-determination, to advance their rights and governance.”
Lax Kw’alaams’ Rights and Title Chair, Councillor Joey Wesley, met with the provincial and federal Indigenous ministers Murray Rankin and Gary Anandasangaree along with representatives from Gitxaała, Gitga’at, and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations to express disappointment and concern over what Wesley called the failed Crown reconciliation efforts with each First Nation.
In June the federal and provincial governments initialed treaties with both Kitselas and Kitsumkalum for land, resources and continued funding for community and infrastructure projects.
“Now that the government has moved forward with the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum treaties it will be difficult to discuss reconciliation after Canada and B.C. has ignoreed Lax Kw’alaams interests and infringed on out rights,”said Lax Kw’alaams Mayor, Garry Reece.
