Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Members Protest Against K’ómoks Treaty
The chiefs say Bill 20 could claim close to 80% of their territory and trigger litigation if the province ratifies it without meaningful consultation.
- On Wednesday, several Gigigamae from Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai protested in Campbell River against Bill 20, the K'ómoks Treaty Act, calling for a pause until meaningful consultation occurs.
- Last month, British Columbia introduced the treaty legislation, which would transfer more than 3,400 hectares to K'ómoks Treaty Land with an option to purchase an additional 1,592 hectares, covering close to 80 per cent of Wei Wai Kum territory.
- Wei Wai Kum nations say they stand to lose the Salmon River Reserve, chieftainship seats, gravesites and Gukwdzi sites if the treaty takes effect. Hereditary Chief Jim Henderson said K'ómoks and B.C. have refused to meet in their Gukwdzi to discuss rights and territory under Indigenous laws.
- K'ómoks Chief Nicole Rempel countered that her Nation has spent many years attempting collaboration and remains open to respectful dialogue despite disagreements, while Wei Wai Kum warned that ratifying without meaningful engagement will likely lead to litigation and direct action.
- Several Nations formally requested a 180-day pause to address overlapping claims, and Chief Tony Roberts cautioned that once the treaty passes provincially it will be very difficult to reverse, despite the province acknowledging Crown consultation remains a condition of ratification.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Campbell River Mirror
Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ members protest against K’ómoks treaty
Several Gi’gigamae (hereditary chiefs) from Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai spoke of protective actions during a protest in Campbell River on Wednesday. The hereditary chiefs and council members are calling on the province to pause Bill 20, the K’ómoks Treaty Act, until meaningful consultation, accommodation and dispute resolution takes place. Their concern is that the treaty claims close to 80 per cent of Wei Wai Kum territory with, they say, no bas…
‘Ratification does not remove the conflict’: Wei Wai Kum outlines treaty concerns
For Wei Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts, whose First Nation is among those raising concerns surrounding Bill 20, the K’ómoks Treaty Act, the dispute over British Columbia’s proposed K’ómoks treaty is not simply about lines on a map.It’s about First Nations’ law, territorial responsibility, constitutional rights, and whether neighbouring First Nations should be expected to resolve historic land overlap concerns after a treaty has already become legal…
Wei Wai Kum say civil disobedience coming if Province doesn't pause K'ómoks treaty
There’s a stark warning tonight from the chief of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River, who says if the Province doesn’t pause approval of the neighbouring Komoks First Nation’s treaty then his members are ready to engage in civil disobedience. Chris Roberts, the chief councillor of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, based in Campbell River, says he hopes it doesn’t come to it but adds there’s little he can do to stop his members from engag…
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