BC Treaty Commission

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration).   The UN Declaration was created through the efforts of many dedicated Indigenous leaders and decades of advocacy work.   The human rights of Indigenous Peoples are worldwide, and the UN Declaration lays out the minimum standards necessary for their survival, dignity, and wellbeing.   In the years since its adoption by the UN General Assembly, both Canada and BC have passed legislation affirming the application of the UN Declaration in provincial and federal law.    The Treaty Commission celebrates the progress made since the adoption of the UN Declaration and reaffirms Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane’s statement that “implementation of the UN Declaration is possible through fairly negotiated and honourably implemented treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements in BC.” #WeAreIndigenous #UNDRIP #reconciliation #aboriginalrights #bcpoli #cdnpoli

Commissioner Angela Wesley is a citizen of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, one of five First Nations currently implementing the Maa-nulth Treaty on Vancouver Island.    She has extensive experience in First Nations self-governance and treaty implementation. Commissioner Wesley knows firsthand how Modern Treaties bring economic and social advancements to First Nations, communities, and entire regions.    To listen to the entire CBC interview with Commissioner Wesley discussing the benefits of Modern Treaties, click the link in our bio. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #moderntreaties #reconciliation

August 9 is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognizes and affirms Indigenous Peoples’ identities, cultures, and histories alongside their successes and accomplishments. This year’s theme is “Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #WeAreIndigenous #UNPFII #EMRIP

August 9 is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognizes and affirms Indigenous Peoples’ identities, cultures, and histories alongside their successes and accomplishments. This year’s theme is “Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #WeAreIndigenous #UNPFII #EMRIP

Congratulations to the K’ómoks First Nation, Canada and British Columbia on this milestone achievement. Modern treaties constitutionally entrench the recognition and protection of Indigenous rights and the the nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship.

The BC Treaty Commission would like to extend its congratulations to K’ómoks First Nation, the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada on today’s initialling of the K’ómoks Treaty. The initialling signals that the Parties have reached substantial agreement and progress on the treaty. As Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane says, “the K’ómoks Treaty will constitutionally protect and recognize K’ómoks rights and title, provide the foundation for self-government, law-making and taxation powers, and a clear nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship with Canada and British Columbia.” The Treaty Commission was honoured to attend the initialling alongside guests like the Honourable Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Minister Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Sheryl Lightfoot, North American Member to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. For further details, read the BC Treaty Commission’s news release, linked in our bio. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #reconciliation #KomoksFirstNation

(Content warning: This post contains mention of residential schools.) As #IndigenousHistoryMonth draws to a close, we take this time to honour Indigenous Peoples, the leaders, community members, youth, Elders, and Survivors who have worked tirelessly to light a path towards a more equitable future. There is incredible richness in the cultures, traditions and diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We share our deep gratitude and respect for our shared history in Canada. We encourage all British Columbians and Canadians to consider what they have learned this month, and to use these posts to guide them in their journey of reconciliation. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #IndigenousHistoryMonth #reconciliation #NIHM2024

(Content warning: This post contains mention of residential schools, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Sixties Scoop.) As we near the end of #IndigenousHistoryMonth, we encourage all British Columbians and Canadians to think meaningfully and proactively about their ongoing learning and education journeys, and how this contributes to our shared path towards reconciliation. Reconciliation is an active ongoing process that requires our collective commitment and involvement — this journey must be rooted in truth and deep care for the ways that the past impacts the present. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #IndigenousHistoryMonth #reconciliation #NIHM2024

The BC Treaty Commission commends Kitsumkalum Band and the governments of British Columbia and Canada on the initialling of the Kitsumkalum Treaty: A Living Agreement earlier today. “It is an honour to be here today to witness and celebrate this milestone with the Kitsumkalum community, all the Parties, and governments,” says Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane. The Kitsumkalum Treaty comes after the creation of the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia and other major changes, such as the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. To learn more about the initialling, read the Treaty Commission’s news release – link in bio.  #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #reconciliation #moderntreaties #NIHM2024

The BC Treaty Commission congratulates Kitselas First Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia on the initialling of the Kitselas Treaty: A Living Agreement. The Treaty Commission was in attendance today to mark this occasion with the Parties. This milestone reinforces the effectiveness of the BC Negotiations Framework in creating transformative change through treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements. “[This] milestone represents the culmination of shared dedication, respect, and understanding for Kitselas self-governance and a prosperous future for all Canadians” says Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane. For more information, read the Treaty Commission’s news release by clicking the link in our bio. #bcpoli #cdnpoli #bctreaty #reconciliation #moderntreaties #KitselasFirstNation #NIHM2024