The Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams say they will take every legal, necessary and peaceful step to protect their rights following the Kitselas Treaty announcement.
After the B.C. government tabled Bill 21, the Kitselas Treaty Act, earlier this week despite major concerns and objections from Lax Kw’alaams and the Nine Allied Tribes, the band is urging the government to pause the bill and address its concerns before moving forward.
Some of the band’s biggest concerns stem from the Kitselas Treaty affecting 90 per cent of Lax Kw’alaams territory, as well as requiring Kitselas’ free, prior and informed consent for developments in the Port of Prince Rupert. The Lax Kw’alaams Band said Kitselas having a say over the port could create uncertainty.
“The North Coast corridor and the Port are already under pressure, with capacity constraints and growing global competition. Introducing unclear governance and overlapping decision-making authority into this environment risks deterring major project investment, delaying projects, and undermining Canada’s ability to compete internationally.”
Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece said the Kitselas Treaty will have negative impacts across Canada.
“The Premier says these treaties create certainty. But for the North Coast corridor and the Port of Prince Rupert, this bill does the opposite. It introduces uncertainty at a time when Canada needs stable, reliable trade routes to global markets. This is a critical gateway for Canadian exports. When you create uncertainty here, you put investment, jobs, and economic growth at risk — not just for our region, but across the country.”
Lax Kw’alaams supports the self-determination of other First Nations; however, it cannot support this treaty, said Nine Allied Tribes hereditary leader and spokesperson Stan Dennis Jr.
“We support treaties and self-government, but this process has failed to respect our rights and our territory. This bill impacts more than 90 per cent of our lands without our consent. That is not reconciliation — it is a serious risk to our future and to the relationships between our Nations. We are not just the “neighbouring Nation”. This bill impacts 90 per cent of our traditional territory. We wanted to celebrate with Kitselas First Nation and their approximately 700 members one day. But Eby robbed that from both our Nations and could damage our kinship relationships forever.”
