FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Haisla, BC – April 28, 2026

Haisla Nation is calling on the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada to immediately pause the ratification of the Kitselas Treaty and undertake urgent reforms to the Crown’s treaty negotiation process.

Haisla Nation supports the right of all First Nations, including Kitselas, to pursue treaties and self-determination. Treaties are a critical pathway to reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights and title. However, those outcomes must not come at the expense of other Nations or through processes that leave key issues unresolved.

Recent developments in the B.C. Legislature have highlighted serious concerns with the Crown’s current “interest-based” treaty process. As it stands, the process does not adequately address overlapping territories or ensure that all impacted Nations are meaningfully involved in reaching resolution.

Haisla Nation stands alongside other First Nations across British Columbia who have raised similar concerns. These concerns are not about opposing treaties—they are about ensuring treaties are implemented in a way that is fair, lawful, and respectful of all Nations’ rights and relationships to the land.

Multiple Nations have stated that the Kitselas Treaty is proceeding despite unresolved territorial overlaps and without their consent.

This is not reconciliation. This is displacement by process.

A Flawed Process That Undermines Rights and Title

The Crown’s current approach allows for the effective transfer and recognition of lands within overlapping territories, without achieving meaningful resolution between affected Nations.

This approach:

• Disregards the reality of overlapping and shared territories
• Fails to secure free, prior, and informed consent from all impacted Nations
• Places First Nations in conflict with one another
• Advances legislation despite outstanding disputes and opposition

As recently highlighted by other First Nations and leadership organizations, including the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, reconciliation cannot be achieved through unilateral decisions that ignore unresolved territorial issues.

A Pattern of Crown Failure

While the Crown continues to assert that consultation is “ongoing,” the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Neighbouring Nations have clearly stated they were not meaningfully consulted and have not provided consent for treaty provisions affecting their territories.

Despite this, the Province has proceeded with introducing treaty implementation legislation—demonstrating a systemic failure to meet its constitutional obligations.

This approach erodes trust, fuels division, and undermines the very foundation of reconciliation.

Haisla Nation Position

Haisla Nation is clear:

• We support the right of all Nations, including Kitselas, to pursue treaties and self-determination
• We support treaty implementation that is grounded in fairness, transparency, and mutual respect
• We do not support processes that impact the lands and rights of other Nations without resolution
• We reject frameworks that create or deepen conflict between Nations due to Crown timelines

Call to Action

Haisla Nation is calling on the Province of British Columbia and Canada to:

1. Pause ratification of the Kitselas Treaty until overlapping territorial issues are addressed
2. Facilitate Nation-to-Nation resolution processes between affected Nations prior to implementation
3. Ensure free, prior, and informed consent of all impacted Nations
4. Reform the treaty process to better reflect Indigenous laws, governance systems, and shared territories
5. Commit to transparent and accountable decision-making

Moving Forward

Haisla Nation remains committed to working constructively with neighbouring Nations and the Crown to achieve lasting, respectful solutions.

Treaties must be instruments of reconciliation—not sources of division.

The Crown must prioritize resolutions, not timelines.

Until that happens, Haisla Nation will continue to assert and defend its rights, title, and responsibilities to its territory.

Media Contact:
Margaret Grant
Manager, Communications & Events
Haisla Nation
250-639-9361 ext 116
mgrant@haisla.ca