TERRACE, B.C. – A new chapter in self-determination is underway for the Kitsumkalum First Nation, as it officially announced the start of the ratification process for its proposed treaty and constitution. This pivotal step is the culmination of more than three decades of negotiations with the federal and provincial governments.
If ratified, the treaty would formally recognize Kitsumkalum’s rights to self-governance, land ownership, resource management, and harvesting, marking a significant milestone in the Nation’s history. The agreement would also implement the Kitsumkalum constitution, a foundational document for community governance.
In a press release on June 25, Chief Councillor Troy Sam confirmed the community vote is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025. “Our Nation negotiated this treaty for over 30 years to get to this point,” Sam said. “Our people will go to the polls… to cast a vote for their future!” He also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of past and present leadership who made the moment possible.
An independent committee, with representatives from Kitsumkalum, British Columbia, and the Government of Canada, will oversee the ratification process. Over the next four months, the Kitsumkalum treaty team plans to conduct extensive community engagement to ensure all members are well-informed before casting their vote.
Both provincial and federal ministers have voiced their support for the process. Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, praised the “perseverance and commitment” of Kitsumkalum’s leadership. Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty, called the announcement a “major milestone on the path to self-determination” and encouraged all community members to participate.
Kitsumkalum has been a part of the Tsimshian First Nations Treaty Society and has negotiated alongside the Kitselas First Nation, though each nation’s agreement will be ratified independently. The process aligns with the 2019 provincial and federal policy shifts that embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Kitsumkalum members can find ratification documents and more information on the voting process at kitsumkalumtreaty.ca.
