{"id":58092,"date":"2025-05-05T10:25:58","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T17:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=58092"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:35:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:35:18","slug":"komoks-treaty","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/komoks-treaty\/","title":{"rendered":"K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty Negotiations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engagement is ongoing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2682\" height=\"1599\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-64581\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image.png\" style=\"object-position:54% 83%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"54% 83%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image.png 2682w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-1024x611.png 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-768x458.png 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-1536x916.png 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-2048x1221.png 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/03\/Komoks-Banner-Image-1200x715.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2682px) 100vw, 2682px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty Negotiations<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty Negotiations\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#overview\" title=\"\">Treaty progress overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#K\u2019\u00f3moks\" title=\"\">The K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#summary\" title=\"\">Summary of treaty negotiations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#overview\" title=\"\">Overview of the proposed K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#recent\" title=\"\">Recent engagement<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#next\" title=\"\">What&#8217;s next<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#about\" title=\"\">About modern treaties<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#resources\" title=\"\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who: <\/strong>K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation (K\u2019\u00f3moks), the Government of Canada (Canada) and the Province of British Columbia (B.C.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>Treaty negotiations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Vancouver Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> Constitutionally protected agreements that set the relationship between the parties to work toward common goals of reconciliation and recognition of First Nations rights and title, to partner on shared priorities and to create jurisdictional and operational certainty in the region<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>In-person, online<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/reconciliation-initiatives\/\" rel=\"tag\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2022\/09\/komoks.jpg);background-position:57.99999999999999% 100%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview\">Treaty progress overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 1994, K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation (K\u2019\u00f3moks) has been involved in treaty negotiations with the Government of Canada (Canada) and the Province of British Columbia (B.C.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Negotiations are now concluded, and the parties are ratifying the treaty through their respective processes and preparing to move to stage 6 \u2013 Implementation of the Treaty \u2013of the B.C. treaty negotiations process.\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/bctreaty.ca\/negotiations\/negotiation-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more about that process here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The treaty table includes K\u2019\u00f3moks, Canada, B.C., the British Columbia Treaty Commission, and local government representatives, including the Comox Valley Regional District, the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay and the Village of Cumberland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On July 22, 2024, the chief negotiators from all three parties \u2014 K\u2019\u00f3moks, Canada and B.C.\u2014initialled the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initialling marked an important milestone in the treaty journey, as it signalled the conclusion of substantive negotiations. Initialling is subject to important caveats, including Canada and B.C. fulfilling their duty to consult other First Nations and the completion of a final legal and technical review of the treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The legal and technical review of the treaty concluded in November 2024, resulting in the ratification version of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read the ratification version of the <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/12\/Komoks-Treaty_Ratification-Version.pdf\" title=\"\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty (PDF, 11MB)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/12\/Komoks-Appendices_Ratification-Version.pdf\" title=\"\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty Appendices (PDF, 31MB)<\/a>. Please note this version of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty and Appendices replaces the previous initialled version.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After initialling, the treaty must go through a ratification process \u2014 a process that takes several more years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On March 8, 2025, in the first step of the ratification process, K&#8217;\u00f3moks First Nation held its ratification vote for eligible voters, who voted in favour of ratifying their treaty and <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/05\/250122-KFN-Constitution-Ratification-Draft-1.pdf\" title=\"\">self-government constitution (PDF, 250KB)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"K\u2019\u00f3moks\">The K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>tuwa ak\u02b7s \u03c7o\u03c7o\u026c \u0294a x\u02b7 yi\u03c7m\u025bt\u025bt (\u0294a) k\u02b7\u028ams h\u025bhaw t\u028ams g\u0269\u01f0\u025b&nbsp;<br>\u201cCare takers of the \u2018land of plenty\u2019 since time immemorial\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K&#8217;\u00f3moks traditional territory\u202fspans the Comox Valley in the central eastern part of Vancouver Island, extending into Johnstone Strait. The K\u2019\u00f3moks Nation has approximately 350 members, primarily located in the Comox Valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral histories and archaeology describe a rich and bountiful relationship between the K\u2019\u00f3moks people and their territory. Salmon, herring, shellfish, herring, deer, elk, seal, cod, rockfish, geese, duck, and a plethora of berries and plant foods filled the bellies of young and old alike. The harvest, preparation and cultivation of local resources were appropriate to the environment, resource, and spiritual beliefs. Fish weirs, clam gardens, duck nets, berry picking techniques and clothing design met the needs of the K\u2019\u00f3moks people, and for generations provided variety, utility, and sense of cultural uniqueness. Mask dances and rhythmic songs filled the winter nights and throughout the seasons. Property was distributed to guests in potlatches and elaborate naming ceremonies honoured the youth, leaders, and Elders of the communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, K\u2019\u00f3moks is active in the local economy and has strong relationships with local governments, which are supportive of the treaty. Local governments in the region have worked together with K\u2019\u00f3moks for years to prepare for the treaty, including co-investing in water treatment and management and sewage infrastructure for the region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary\">Summary of treaty negotiations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>K\u2019\u00f3moks entered treaty negotiations in the early 1990s. In 2012, negotiators for K\u2019\u00f3moks, Canada, and B.C. reached an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP), establishing agreement on the substantive elements to be detailed in the completed treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the years since, K\u2019\u00f3moks, B.C. and Canada have engaged with all levels of government, industry, interest holders, and people in the region on various elements of the proposed treaty. K\u2019\u00f3moks has worked closely with its local government partners to invest in shared services and regional economic development. During this time, B.C. and Canada also continued to consult with neighbouring First Nations as the negotiations progressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initialling the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty in July 2024 signalled the conclusion of substantive negotiations, subject to certain caveats such as ongoing legal and technical review and consultation with neighbouring First Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The legal and technical review of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty concluded in November 2024, resulting in the ratification version of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty. Consultation with neighbouring First Nations is ongoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After these steps are completed, it sets the stage for each party\u2019s ratification process, in which the First Nation, B.C. and Canada seek approval to sign the treaty and for B.C. and Canada to pass treaty implementation legislation. Ratification is the approval process that treaties must go through before they can come into effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K\u2019\u00f3moks was the first to ratify the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty, by holding ratification vote for eligible voters. To ratify, the treaty and constitution require a double majority vote outcome by K\u2019\u00f3moks eligible voters. This means more than 50% of eligible voters on the voters list cast a ballot, and more than 50% of those voters cast a ballot in favour of the treaty and constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On March 8, 2025, K\u2019\u00f3moks held their ratification vote for eligible voters, who voted in favour of ratifying their treaty and self-government constitution. Of the 91% of eligible voters who voted on the treaty and constitution, 81% voted \u201cyes\u201d on the treaty and 83% voted \u201cyes\u201d on the constitution. Based on these results, the ratification vote thresholds were met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With eligible voters voting in favour of ratifying the treaty and constitution, the next step in the ratification process is for B.C. and Canada to undergo their own respective ratification approval processes. This includes passing provincial, and then federal treaty implementation legislation to bring the treaty into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview\">Overview of the proposed K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>K\u2019\u00f3moks, B.C. and Canada have been negotiating the agreement in stages, with each stage including Crown consultations with other First Nations, and engagement with the public and interest holders. Local government representatives have also sat at the negotiation table as part of the provincial negotiating team. This approach provides opportunities for people and key interest holders to share their interests and help shape treaty provisions that work for all. As a result, the treaty reflects work done together on shared regional priorities established in the 2012 AIP. Read the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/consulting-with-first-nations\/agreements\/aip_komoks.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Agreement-in-Principle (PDF, 14MB)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If ratified by all parties, the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure Aboriginal rights are recognized and not extinguished and describe how K\u2019\u00f3moks rights will be exercised<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clarify that the treaties do not infringe or extinguish the rights of neighbouring First Nations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lay out negotiated approaches to self governance, and confirm land parcels totalling approximately 34.6 km<sup>2 <\/sup>(3,460 hectares or 8,550 acres) to be owned and governed by K\u2019\u00f3moks, with an ability for K\u2019\u00f3moks to purchase and add up to 15.92 km<sup>2<\/sup> (1,592 hectares or 3,934 acres) of additional land over time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Address existing interests and tenures on proposed treaty lands (interest-holders have been engaged on the proposed approach to their tenure or interest)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commit K\u2019\u00f3moks and B.C., in light of shared concern for sustainable watersheds, to develop a water scarcity management agreement for collaborative groundwater management under provincial legislation, with engagement from the region\u2019s water users, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consultation and opportunities for co-management of resources for K\u2019\u00f3moks within the K\u2019\u00f3moks territory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The treaty will provide the basis for a revitalized relationship between K\u2019\u00f3moks and all levels of government by fostering shared understanding about K\u2019\u00f3moks rights and delivering economic predictability in the region. The K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty is intended to create jobs, promote investment and economic development, build housing, support tourism, encourage investments in infrastructure and support social well-being for the K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation community, all of which will benefit the entire Comox Valley and surrounding area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The K\u2019\u00f3moks Estuary has been a place of significance for the K&#8217;\u00f3moks peoples, who lived in villages on both sides of the estuary since time immemorial. It is also a vital, ecologically significant habitat that supports hundreds of bird and plant species and all five Pacific salmon species. In recognition of the rights held by K\u2019\u00f3moks in the K\u2019\u00f3moks Estuary as well as the cultural significance of the area, the Province and K\u2019\u00f3moks, through the Treaty, will enter into a process of consent-based decision making in relation to the K\u2019\u00f3moks Estuary on the Effective Date of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Komoks-Estuary-Consent-Agreement_Initialled.pdf\" title=\"\">K&#8217;\u00f3moks Estuary Consent Agreement (PDF, 960KB)<\/a> is an agreement that will establish a consent-based decision-making process between B.C. and K\u2019\u00f3moks in the K\u2019\u00f3moks Estuary related to certain Land Act tenures, specifically leases, licences of occupation, rights of way or easements. Through this process, the parties would seek consensus in accordance with shared principles. Existing infrastructure tenures and public access to the estuary are not impacted by the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Negotiated as a side agreement to the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty, the K&#8217;\u00f3moks Estuary Consent Agreement will come into effect on the effective date of the treaty (should the treaty be approved and ratified). Side agreements sit outside the treaty, are not constitutionally protected, and support the implementation of specific treaty commitments. They are publicly available and may be updated over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information about the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty can be found in the following fact sheets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/07\/Fact-Sheet_Komoks-Treaty-Overview_Updated-July-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Treaty overview (PDF, 400KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/07\/Fact-Sheet_Komoks-Treaty_Governance_July-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Governance (PDF, 100KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/07\/Fact-Sheet_Komoks-Treaty_Lands-and-Access_July-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Lands and access (PDF, 1MB)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recent\">Recent engagement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Local government, interest holder and public engagement is important. Engagement provides an opportunity for local governments, interest holders and the public to learn more about the treaty and discuss hopes and issues for the treaty and its implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From May to October 2022, K\u2019\u00f3moks, Canada and B.C. engaged with local communities in the region via local government presentations, open houses, community events, and mailed materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A What We Heard Report was developed from discussions with the public on the closing of treaty negotiations. This report describes the engagement activities and participation rates, including feedback and questions collected during the engagement process, along with responses given by the negotiating partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/05\/Komoks-What-We-Heard-Report_29May2023_Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">What We Heard Report (PDF, 2MB)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, correspondence has been sent to, and meetings have been held with, interest and tenure holders to discuss forms of replacement tenures and the arrangements for continuation of interests such as water licences and woodlots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"next\">What&#8217;s next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several steps in the treaty process that need to be completed before the treaty could come into effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ratification process, which follows the initialling of the treaty, takes several years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With K\u2019\u00f3moks voting in favour of ratifying the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty and self-government constitution in March 2025, the next step in the process is for B.C. to ratify the treaty. B.C. expects to introduce treaty implementation legislation to the B.C. Legislative Assembly in 2026. If this legislation passes, the treaty will be provincially ratified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After provincial ratification, Canada will seek authority to sign the treaty. Following this, all parties sign the treaty and finally Canada ratifies by passing treaty implementation legislation in the Canadian Parliament. If ratified by all parties, the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty comes into effect on the treaty effective date, which is typically a few years after the legislation is given Royal Assent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The parties will conduct ongoing public engagement during this period, so everyone who is potentially impacted by the treaty is kept informed. For the treaty to be fully ratified and come into effect, Canada and B.C. will also need to have met their duty to consult with neighbouring First Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to sign-up for email updates to find out about future engagement opportunities and key milestones in treaty negotiations: <a href=\"mailto:komoks.treaty@gov.bc.ca\">komoks.treaty@gov.bc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about\">About modern treaties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treaties signed today are known as modern treaties. Modern treaties in British Columbia, other than the Nisga\u2019a treaty, are negotiated under the B.C. treaty negotiations framework, facilitated by the British Columbia Treaty Commission. Treaties are comprehensive, living agreements protected under the Canadian constitution. They promote positive and stable conditions to support each First Nation\u2019s government, community well-being and economic growth.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treaties are an important part of Canada and B.C.\u2019s work to advance reconciliation guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission\u2019s Calls to Action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern treaties outline the First Nation\u2019s responsibilities and jurisdictions over treaty lands, such as ownership, access, governance, taxation and environmental management. Treaties empower First Nations to step out of the\u202fIndian Act\u2019s legislative control. As living agreements, these treaties do not freeze rights in time. Rather, they are foundations from which First Nations can build partnerships, expand economic development and support their community\u2019s social well-being.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern treaties are one pathway for reconciliation that promote collaboration and decrease uncertainty. Treaties recognize that neighbours are stronger working together and help build a brighter future for everyone. Treaties give certainty, ending the application of laws and policies that deny equal opportunity and reconcile First Nations rights with other rights, rather than replacing or extinguishing those rights.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By bringing together First Nations, Canada and B.C. for formal negotiations with public engagement, modern treaties are also an opportunity for local communities to share their needs and challenges to shape treaty provisions. As a result, modern treaties provide significant benefits for all people in their regions, stronger community bonds, and plans to work together on shared priorities.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of benefits that have come from modern treaties include:\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Local Investment<\/strong>: Treaties include funding from the federal and provincial government which are invested by First Nations directly in B.C.\u2019s local communities, including funding education, cultural vitality, land and water-management, homes for people and economic development to build strong, safe and healthy communities. A well-known Deloitte<sup>1<\/sup>\u202fstudy shows every dollar invested in agreements like treaties generates more than double in return in terms of economic activity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Social Well-Being and Empowerment<\/strong>: Treaties include protection and revitalization of First Nations culture, language and heritage. Canada\u2019s Community Well-Being Index (CWB) shows overall higher well-being in modern treaty regions following the conclusion of a treaty.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Economic Opportunity and Prosperity<\/strong>: Modern Treaty Nations are diversifying local economies in culturally relevant ways, helping build B.C.\u2019s strong, sustainable, clean economy.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Services People Rely On<\/strong>: Treaties enable First Nations to develop revenue streams and build capacity in critical services such as housing, health care and education.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Protecting our Land, Water and Resources<\/strong>: Treaties contain provisions that enable local communities and First Nations to work together to ensure local land, water and resources are managed sustainably.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>1<\/sup><a href=\"http:\/\/bctreaty.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Deloitte-BCTC-FinalReport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Deloitte (Oct 2016) \u201cSocio-economic Benefits of Modern Treaties in BC\u201d (PDF, 600KB)<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resources\">Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bctreaty.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British Columbia Treaty Commission (Treaty Commission)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/komoks.ca\/\">K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nations website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/komoks.ca\/treaty\/\">K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nations Treaty webpage<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/consulting-with-first-nations\/agreements\/aip_komoks.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Agreement in Principle, signed March 24, 2012 (PDF, 14MB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/environment\/natural-resource-stewardship\/consulting-with-first-nations\/first-nations-negotiations\/first-nations-a-z-listing\/k-moks-first-nation-comox-indian-band\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">About K\u2019\u00f3moks First Nation (B.C. webpage)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/esa\/socdev\/unpfii\/documents\/DRIPS_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 170KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/declaration.gov.bc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read the ratification version of the <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/12\/Komoks-Treaty_Ratification-Version.pdf\" title=\"\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty (PDF, 11MB)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/12\/Komoks-Appendices_Ratification-Version.pdf\" title=\"\">K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty Appendices (PDF, 31MB)<\/a>. Please note this version of the K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty and Appendices replaces the previous initialed version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minister\u2019s statement on K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty and Constitution vote outcome: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/32074\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/32074<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Info bulletin on upcoming ratification vote for K\u2019\u00f3moks Treaty, Constitution: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/32058\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/32058<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initialling draft K\u00f3moks Treaty news release: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/31334\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/31334<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public update information bulletin: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2024IRR0038-001103\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2024IRR0038-001103<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public invitation information bulletin:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2022IRR0052-001296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2022IRR0052-001296<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public results information bulletin: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2023IRR0028-000854\">https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2023IRR0028-000854<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Xwulqw&#039;selu (Koksilah) Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan. Categories: Environmental Protection, Land and Water, Reconciliation Initiatives, Wildlife and Habitat Protection. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/xwulqwselu-koksilah-watershed-plan\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Xwulqw&#039;selu (Koksilah) Watershed and Water Sustainability Plan                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Environmental Protection<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Wildlife and Habitat Protection<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/xwulqwselu-koksilah-watershed-plan\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Koksilahbanner.png\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls. Categories: Families and Residents, Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Upcoming.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-upcoming\">\n                                            Upcoming                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/okanaganfalls\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/okanaganfalls\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Land Transfers in Northeast British Columbia. Categories: Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Ongoing.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-ongoing\">\n                                            Ongoing                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/land-transfers-in-northeast-bc\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Land Transfers in Northeast British Columbia                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/land-transfers-in-northeast-bc\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/01\/51268561543_65dfd23ae6_o-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: West Central Vancouver Island Forest Landscape Plan. Categories: Land and Water, Natural Resource Sector, Natural Resources, Reconciliation Initiatives, Wildlife and Habitat Protection. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/west-central-vancouver-island-forest-landscape-plan\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        West Central Vancouver Island Forest Landscape Plan                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resource Sector<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resources<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Wildlife and Habitat Protection<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/west-central-vancouver-island-forest-landscape-plan\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/10\/Kendrick-Inlet-1736193-Medium.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: &#039;Namgis-B.C. Section 7 Agreement. Categories: Land and Water, Natural Resource Sector, Natural Resources, Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/namgis-b-c-section-7-agreement\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        &#039;Namgis-B.C. Section 7 Agreement                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resource Sector<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resources<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/namgis-b-c-section-7-agreement\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/10\/Clayoquot-Aerial-Forest-Stream.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Heritage Conservation Act. Categories: Families and Residents, Land and Water, Natural Resource Sector, Natural Resources, Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/heritage-conservation-act\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Heritage Conservation Act                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resource Sector<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resources<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/heritage-conservation-act\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":64581,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[292],"engagement_region":[327],"engagement_status":[337],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-58092","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-reconciliation-initiatives","engagement_region-vancouver-island","engagement_status-ongoing"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/58092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/58092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83732,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/58092\/revisions\/83732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=58092"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=58092"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=58092"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=58092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}