The Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ hereditary chiefs are demanding an immediate halt to the K’ómoks treaty ratification vote set for Saturday (March 8), calling it "unlawful" and an attempt to "rewrite history and lay claim to Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ lands and resources."
On Wednesday (March 6), the hereditary chiefs called for a stop to the process, due to a dispute over traditional territory near Sayward which is included in the K'ómoks treaty. They called for Canada, British Columbia, and the K’ómoks First Nation to participate in meaningful consultations before moving forward with the vote.
READ MORE: Ratification vote of K'ómoks Treaty scheduled for March 8
“We’ve been increasingly frustrated with the lack of communication and adherence to protocol among K’ómoks hereditary and elected leadership,” said Hereditary Chief Gigamae ƛakʷasǧəm, Fred Moon, in a March 5 media release. “If the signing of the K’ómoks treaty moves forward without proper consultation, there will forever be a rift between our Nations – if you’re not with us, you’re against us.”
According to the chiefs, the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations conquered the Salish Tribes that eventually became the K’ómoks First Nation. These tribes were driven south to Comox, where, over time, inter-marriages and peace initiatives led to the K’ómoks agreeing to work with the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ.
The chiefs say the land at the mouth of the Salmon River, home to the Walitsama people and part of the Oyster River boundary agreement, was designated a federal Indian Reserve for the K’omoks Nation in 1940 after the Walitsama amalgamated with the K’ómoks. The hereditary chiefs say during previous treaty discussions with the K’omoks, there was a mutual agreement to honour the Oyster River as a territorial boundary.
The K'ómoks said in a statement Thursday (March 6) that Wei Wai Kum elected chief Chris Roberts filed an injunction to stop Saturday's ratification vote. However, K’ómoks says this injunction is based on misinformation and interferes with their "democratic process and their right to self-determination."
The K’ómoks say it has made several attempts to reach agreements with Wei Wai Kum, including proposing draft protocols between 2007 to the present. But the current chief and council continue to oppose the K’ómoks’ treaty process, and "claim exclusive rights to the Salmon River area."
Hereditary chiefs says the K’ómoks territorial claim should not extend north of Oyster River, while their claim does not extend south. However, the ratification of the treaty will violate this long-standing agreement. The chiefs warn this will have "dire and irreversible consequences," jeopardizing their inherent rights, governance over their lands, and the future of their people.
According to K’ómoks, the treaty, which has been under negotiation since 1994, provides about 12,500 acres (5,000 hectares) of land throughout their traditional territory to be owned by K’ómoks. Of this, there are only 1,850 acres (750 hectares) in the Salmon River Watershed. This leaves more than 200,000 hectares for other Nations in the Salmon River area, which is the location of the Oyster River territorial boundary.
Melissa Quocksister of the K’ómoks treaty negotiation team told the Mirror the K’ómoks have repeatedly stated the treaty will not affect the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ peoples' rights to hunt, gather, fish, and trap in the area. "We don't see it as affecting the rights of any other Nations," she said.
