Gitxaała Nation has voiced strong opposition to the upcoming signing of modern treaties between Canada, British Columbia, and the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations. In a statement released today, Gitxaała Nation expressed deep concerns over the potential adverse impacts of these agreements on their ancestral territory, Laxyuubm Gitxaała, which has been their home for over 10,000 years.
The treaties in question are set to finalize land claims settlements with Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations, granting them land rights, constitutionally guaranteed harvesting rights, and participation in resource management within Laxyuubm Gitxaała.
According to Sm’ooygit Txagyet (Clarence Innis), speaking on behalf of Gitxaała Nation, “Canada and British Columbia have failed to uphold the honor of the Crown by rushing to initial these treaties without adequately addressing our concerns. This disregards our rights and title, as well as our laws expressed in our adaawx, ayaawx, and gugwilx ya’ ansk.”
The statement further asserts that the Crown has not fulfilled its legal obligation under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to engage in meaningful consultation with Gitxaała Nation prior to finalizing these agreements.
Despite attempts by Gitxaała Nation to negotiate protocols with Kitselas and Kitsumkalum to reconcile their respective treaty rights with Gitxaała laws and traditions, these efforts have yet to yield a satisfactory resolution. Gitxaała Nation also highlighted their history of defending Laxyuubm Gitxaała against previous development projects and expressed readiness to defend their rights and title again if necessary.
The next substantive consultation between Gitxaała Nation and the Crown governments is scheduled after the initialing of the treaties, exacerbating tensions between the parties.
