UBCIC Reaffirms Need for Consent-Based Treaty Negotiations

Statement
June 27, 2024
 
UBCIC Reaffirms Need for Consent-Based Treaty Negotiations
 
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 27, 2024). The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has consistently expressed opposition to the fundamentally flawed B.C. Treaty Commission (BCTC) Process which enables infringement of the inherent and Aboriginal rights of First Nations by allowing treaty negotiations to proceed despite known and outstanding shared territory and overlap disputes and is not consent-based.
In recent media regarding the initialing of the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum Treaties, it was suggested that the First Nations Leadership Council – of which the UBCIC Executive is a member – has been engaged on overlap disputes related to those treaties.
 
UBCIC has not been engaged by the Province, the initialing First Nations, or any other party with respect to addressing the overlap disputes related to the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum Treaties.
 
Consistent with Resolution 2018-36, “Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights,” Resolution 2018-37, “BC’s Proposed Reforms to the BCTC Process,” Resolution 2019-30, “Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in BC,” and Resolution 2022-44, “Alignment of Statement of Intent Mechanism in BCTC with UN Declaration”[1], UBCIC remains firmly opposed to any policy or framework that is intended to reinforce divisions between First Nations and does not properly respect the inherent and Aboriginal rights of all First Nations, including the BCTC Process.
 
UBCIC once again calls for the development and implementation of a principled approach to negotiations that is inclusive and supported by all First Nations in B.C., one that does not recognize and privilege the inherent rights of some First Nations over the inherent and Aboriginal rights of other First Nations, and one that does not proceed without the free, prior, and informed consent of neighboring Nations whose rights may be impacted.
 
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Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President:             250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President:                       604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer:          250-957-7721
 
UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

[1] UBCIC Resolutions are available online: https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/resolutions

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