Just days before the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas bands initialled treaty agreements, the Lax Kw'alaams band released a statement in opposition of the treaty initialling.
They stated a lack of consideration of territorial boundaries and lack of consultation.
Mayor of Lax Kw'alaams Gary Reece explained that previously agreed-upon territorial boundaries are no longer being honoured in the initialed modern treaties.
"We had all our elders or hereditary leaders, all from several communities, all involved. When they drew those maps and the boundaries and that was put out to Canada, the Province, and the B.C. Treaty Commission, and was accepted. We had no problems with any other First Nation that was claiming the overlapping there. Everyone was ok with those maps that went out. And today we still have those maps that we go by. We haven't changed that and we're sticking to that. "
Following the initialling, representatives of Lax Kw'alaams did meet with Government Ministers along with the Gitxaała, Gitga’at, and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations to discuss reconciliation efforts.
Lax Kw’alaams says they have collaborated with the Gitxaała, Gitga’at, and Kitasoo/Xai’xaison bands based on shared reconciliation priorities, as each of them have dedicated years of work towards tripartite reconciliation discussions with Canada and BC.
Lax Kw'alaams, along with the other three bands, have been pursuing a Reconciliation Agreement, as opposed to a treaty.
In treaty, along with other important differences, Title is negotiated. Whereas in a Reconciliation Agreement, it is Title by agreement - which is recognized up front.
In February 2023, the Lax Kw'alaams band says they committed to entering the Uks- Baask Reconciliation Agreement with the government.
However they say the process has since stalled, despite the Band reaching out to Minister Gary Anandesangaree, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations.
Mayor Reece says he finds the lack of consideration disturbing;
"We've been in Reconciliation negotiations with the Province in the Federal Government, and we've completed Phase One Lands, through that process. And we're about to go into the second phase of that. And then we get word that they're not going to be at the table until after the election because the election has happened. So what is it difference with them signing off with the initialing of the treaties with these two bands? And then they tell us that. I find that quite disturbing when they tell us that, and then they go ahead and do this with these other two First Nations "
The Lax Kw'alaams band maintains that it appears the government has gone ahead with furthering and prioritizing modern treaties, while reneging on their previous reconcilation commitments.
They also state that it is difficult to discuss reconciliation when, within these initaled treaties, they deem the territorial boundaires incorrect, and that advancing these treaties directly infringes on their rights and territory.
