Media Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wei Wai Kum, Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams Band Stand Together to Call BC MLAs to Pause Treaty Bills Ahead of Legislative Debate
April 20, 2026
Victoria, BC — As Bill 20 and 21 approach second reading and debate of the K’omoks and Kitselas First Nation treaties, the Wei Wai Kum First Nation (“WWK”), Nine Allied Tribes (“NAT”) and Lax Kw’alaams Band (“LKB”) call Members of the Legislative Assembly to carefully consider the broader public interest and pause the legislation until fundamental issues are addressed.
Leaders from WWK, NAT and LKB are in Victoria again this week to stand in alliance and engage directly with elected officials, underscoring the seriousness of their concerns and the importance of getting this decision right.
The K’omoks treaty claims approximately 80 per cent of WWK territory, and the Kitselas treaty would impact more than 90 per cent of NAT and LKB territory, yet meaningful consultation, accommodation, and consent have not been achieved. Key questions remain unresolved around economic uncertainty, public interest, BC’s legal obligations, and how decisions about land and resources will be made moving forward.
Economic consequences of decisions on bills 20 and 21 affect WWK territory and the North Coast, and this cannot be ignored. With direct connections to major trade infrastructure and resource development, this WWK, NAT and LKB alliance understands that uncertainty in governance and decision-making does not stay contained—it ripples outward, affecting investment, jobs, and long-term opportunities for the impacted regions.
Proceeding with bills 20 and 21 under current conditions risks creating long-term uncertainty, for Indigenous governments and for the broader public interest – impacting economic development, infrastructure planning, especially to the stability of one of Canada’s most important trade corridors in the North Coast, anchored by the Port of Prince Rupert.
The WWK, NAT and LKB support reconciliation, but this is not proper reconciliation. As MLAs prepare to debate bills 20 and 21 this week, leaders are urging all MLAs, and indeed all British Columbians, to look closely at what remains unresolved and act accordingly. Pause this legislation, complete the consultation that is necessary, and ensure this agreement supports stability and respects all Nations.
The WWK, NAT and LKB leadership stand strong in alliance on common concerns with bills 20 and 21 before the BC legislature, and plan to attend the Legislature of British Columbia to voice united concerns to the media, British Columbians, and Canadians.
While this may be the first step in the process, the Government of BC continues to misstep with Indigenous Nations. Without following through on the reconciliation process and meaningful consultation, NAT and LKB are prepared to take the next steps in amplifying their concerns with the Kitselas treaty.
Media Availability:
Who: Nine Allied Tribes, Lax Kw’alaams and Wei Wai Kum leadership
When: Monday, April 20, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
Where: BC Legislature front steps, 501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC
Quotes:
On April 20, 2026, Chief Roberts, Wei Wai Kum First Nations, stated:
“We continue to affirm we’re not denying that there’s a shared history of places. K’ómoks is very unique in that where they draw their identity from . and that history should be more fully reflected in who they are in their treaty.”
On April 20, 2026, Mayor Garry Reece, Lax Kw’alaams First Nations, stated:
“You don’t create certainty by rushing past unresolved issues—you create risk.”
“We have been raising these concerns for years, and yet we are still being asked to accept decisions that impact our territory without our full involvement. That is not respectful, and it is not sustainable.”
On April 20, 2026, Donnie Wesley, Nine Allied Tribes, stated:
“Pausing this legislation is critical for the Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams. Once uncertainty is introduced into a corridor like this, it is difficult to reverse.”
“We came to Victoria because this decision matters—not just for our Nation, but for the relationships between Nations that have existed long before this legislation. Our rights and title are directly impacted, and we have not been meaningfully consulted. That is not how reconciliation is supposed to work.”
On April 20, Stan Dennis Jr., Nine Allied Tribes, stated
“This is not about stopping progress. It’s about making sure decisions of this scale are done properly, with all Nations at the table. Once these relationships are damaged, it is not easily repaired.”
Attached: Joint statement between Wei Wai Kum First Nation, and the Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams Band
View the joint press release, and joint statement from Wei Wai Kum, Nine Allied Tribes, and Lax Kw’alaams Band here: https://laxkwalaams.ca/joint-statement-between-wei-wai-kum-first-nation-and-the-nine-allied-tribes-and-lax-kwalaams-band/
Media Contact
Lisa Kingshott
Manager of Communications and Public Relations
Lax Kw’alaams Band
778-855-5472
[email protected]
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