How are we working together?
The negotiation of long-term agreements is a collaborative process with First Nations that requires ongoing engagement. These negotiations involve close working relationships and the co-development of collaborative solutions.
The Province is working with First Nations and the federal government to create innovative agreements that are flexible and better suited to addressing unique needs. Over the past year, the Province signed a diverse range of agreements that exemplify these efforts. This includes honouring and upholding treaty promises to Snuneymuxw First Nation with the return of 2.67 hectares, part of the historic sxwayxum village site, also known as Millstone River Village. 312 hectares of culturally significant land near Skutz Falls in the Cowichan River valley was also returned to the Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes. This land transfer marks the first time since colonization that Lyackson First Nation will have access to habitable land where it is possible not only to gather, but to live, work and grow in community.
Engagement is ongoing with First Nations across B.C. through regular meetings to negotiate additional agreements to support reconciliation, self-determination, decision-making and economic independence. The Province also engages with local government, the public and interest holders on an ongoing basis.
Are there challenges?
Ongoing engagement with First Nations can be impacted by challenges in capacity across all levels of government, including First Nations governments.
As new agreements demonstrate change and positive steps towards reconciliation, there will be increased demands on capacity. New and innovative approaches to achieving long-term reconciliation may also require new mandates, policy and legislation.
This work takes time and requires cross government co-ordination with First Nations and their representative bodies. It also requires greater public and interest holder engagement complimented by public education and awareness-raising efforts related to truth, history and reconciliation. Refer to Action 1.01 for challenges related to boundary overlap.
Highlights
Signing long-term agreements demonstrates a structured and intentional approach towards reconciliation of Indigenous sovereignty and Crown sovereignty – an internal process integral to Canada’s own constitutional order. Over the reporting period, significant milestones were reached in the co-development process. The following agreements signed this year recognize and support reconciliation, self-determination, decision-making and economic independence:
- Lyackson First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, and British Columbia signed an Incremental Treaty Agreement – May 11, 2024
- Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act, 2024, received Royal Assent, confirming the Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement between Haida Nation and British Columbia – May 16, 2024
- Kitselas First Nation, Canada, and British Columbia initialed the draft Kitselas Treaty – June 24, 2024
- Kitsumkalum First Nation, Canada, and British Columbia initialed the draft Kitsumkalum Treaty – June 25, 2024
- Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada, and British Columbia signed a five-year renewal of the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement – June 26, 2024
- K’ómoks First Nation, Canada, and British Columbia initialed the draft K’ómoks Treaty – July 22, 2024
- shíshálh Nation and British Columbia renewed the 2018 Foundation Agreement – August 2024
On March 8, 2025, K’ómoks First Nation members voted in favour of ratifying the K’ómoks Treaty and Constitution. B.C. and Canada will now undergo their own respective ratification approval processes. This includes introducing provincial, then federal treaty implementation legislation to bring the K’ómoks Treaty into law.
If ratified by all three parties, the treaty is anticipated to have an effective date in 2028.
Both treaties and other agreements contribute to achieving reconciliation and creating economic opportunities and sustainable, healthy and resilient communities. Several negotiations continue on a range of agreements inside and outside of the treaty process.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
Long-term agreements demonstrate a structured and intentional approach towards reconciliation. Increasing the number of signed long-term agreements demonstrates an emphasis on being intentional about progress toward reconciliation with a focus on achieving self-determination, decision making and economic independence.
Over the reporting period, ten long-term agreements were co-developed that recognize and support reconciliation, self-determination, decision making and economic independence:
- Ktunaxa Nation Interim Revenue Sharing Agreement (Columbia River Treaty) – June 8, 2023
- Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance Interim Revenue Sharing Agreement (Columbia River Treaty) – June 8, 2023
- Secwepemc Interim Revenue Sharing Agreement (Columbia River Treaty) – June 8, 2023
- Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council Land and Resource Decision Making Agreement – June 28, 2023
- Tseshaht Contribution Agreement – July 6, 2023
- Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation Incremental Treaty Agreement – July 7, 2023
- Nang K’uula Nang K’uulaas (Haida Nation Recognition Agreement) – July 19, 2023
- Kwadacha Nation Reconciliation Framework Agreement – February 16, 2024
- Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations Consultation Engagement Agreement – 2023 to 2026
- Xwulqw’selu Watershed Planning Agreement with Cowichan Tribes – May 12, 2023
Several treaty tables are in stage 5 negotiations and after decades of hard work, the Province is working to initial treaty agreements. Initiating starts the ratification process where First Nations vote on the treaty.
Both treaties and other agreements contribute to achieving reconciliation and creating economic opportunities and sustainable, healthy and resilient communities. Several negotiations continue on a range of agreements inside and outside of the treaty process.
How are we working together?
The negotiation of long-term agreements is a collaborative process with First Nations that requires ongoing engagement. These negotiations involve close working relationships and the co-development of collaborative solutions.
The Province is working with First Nations and the federal government to create innovative agreements that are flexible and better suited to addressing the needs of individual Nations. This past year, the Province signed several unique and diverse agreements to exemplify this action, including with the Haida Nation, Kwadacha Nation and others. Engagement is ongoing with First Nations across B.C. through regular meetings to negotiate additional agreements to support reconciliation, self-determination, shared decision-making and economic independence. The Province also engages with local government, the public and stakeholder groups on an on-going basis.
Are there challenges?
The negotiation of long-term agreements is a collaborative process with First Nations that requires ongoing engagement, and this can be impacted by challenges in capacity across all levels of government and First Nations partners. As new agreements demonstrate change and positive steps towards reconciliation, there will be increased demand on capacity. Another challenge is that new and innovative approaches to achieve long-term reconciliation may require new policy and legislation. This work takes time and requires cross government co-ordination with First Nations and their representative bodies, as well as public and stakeholder engagement.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
Stz’uminus First Nation and B.C. entered a reconciliation agreement in March 2022 that sets out commitments to work together on community priorities, future land transfers and economic development, while also establishing funding for future environmental remediation activities in Ladysmith Harbour.
The Wei Wai Kum First Nation and the Province signed an Incremental Treaty Agreement in August 2022 that will transfer 2,276 hectares of territorial lands back to Wei Wai Kum and help boost the Nation’s economic activities.
B.C. and the 3Nations Society (Tahltan, Kaska and Taku River Tlingit) renewed and strengthened the regional partnership under an agreement in September 2022. This agreement provides stable funding for ongoing, community-driven initiatives and builds on previous successes.
The Province purchased ranch lands for Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation to be returned to as part of treaty negotiations with the Northern Secwépemc te Qelmúcw (NStQ) and entered an umbrella agreement in December 2022 that will help resolve ranching issues in the NStQ treaty negotiations.
Lake Babine Nation and the Province took the next step in the journey to recognize and implement the Nation’s rights and title through the signing of a new land transfer agreement in January 2023.
Several treaty tables are in Stage 5 negotiations with conclusion of some expected in 1-2 years.
Several tables are in reconciliation negotiations outside of the treaty process and are expected to conclude negotiations between 1-3 years.
Long-term agreements demonstrate a structured and intentional approach towards reconciliation. Increasing the number of signed long-term agreements demonstrates emphasis on being intentional about progress toward reconciliation, focused on achieving self-determination, decision-making and economic independence.
Indicators
- The number of agreements signed: Five co-developed long-term agreements that recognize and support reconciliation, self-determination, decision-making and economic independence.
How are we working together?
The negotiation of long-term agreements is a collaborative process with First Nations that requires ongoing engagement. These negotiations involve close working relationships and the co-development of collaborative solutions.
Together, the Province is working with First Nations and the federal government to create innovative agreements that are flexible and better suited to addressing the needs of individual Nations. This past year, the Province signed several unique and diverse agreements to exemplify this action including with the Lake Babine Nation, Wei Wai Kum Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation and others. Engagement is ongoing with First Nations throughout B.C. through regular meetings to negotiate additional agreements to support reconciliation, self-determination, decision-making and economic independence.
Are there challenges?
New and innovative approaches to achieve long-term reconciliation may require new policy and legislation. This work takes time and requires co-ordination within government, as well as co-operation with negotiation partners. As new agreements demonstrate change and positive steps towards reconciliation, there will be increased demand on provincial capacity. Recruiting and retaining knowledgeable and experienced teams is a challenge in the current labour market.