K’ómoks First Nation, Canada, B.C. Take Important Step To Advance Reconciliation By Initialling Draft K’ómoks Treaty

Elected Chief Ken Price of the K’ómoks First Nation along with provincial and federal officials, marked a significant milestone Monday toward renewing their nation-to-nation relationships.

The chief negotiators of all three parties have initialled the draft K’ómoks Treaty, representing a significant step toward K’ómoks becoming a self-governing First Nation.

The milestone aligns with K’ómoks’ vision of self-determination and a prosperous and healthy future that honours its people, culture, languages, and the land and water.

The next steps in this process include a treaty ratification vote by K’ómoks First Nation.

Should the K’ómoks community ratify the treaty, the federal and provincial governments would undergo ratification processes through legislation.

It is anticipated the full ratification processes will take three years, with an effective treaty date projected for 2028.

The Province says the treaty represents a significant shift in the treaty negotiations process in B.C., including the finalization of the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in 2019.

Chief Price says treaties are the highest form of reconciliation between nations, and the K’ómoks Treaty will be the first of its kind with the inclusion of innovative changes over the last few years, such as recognition of rights and title, periodic renewal and other K’ómoks-specific winning conditions.

Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation says if ratified, the K'ómoks Treaty will bring positive changes — a path to self-governance, recognition of rights, social and economic opportunities — all leading toward a prosperous and bright future for the K'ómoks people and for everyone in the surrounding communities.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.