Aerial view of Klahoose village beside the ocean
Indigenous Nations

Klahoose Treaty Negotiations: Finalizing the offer

The Klahoose First Nation may be close to signing a treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. 

In an email to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) dated April 26, Jessica Jamieson, from BC’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, stated the Klahoose were to be provided with an offer of treaty land and cash this Spring.  This has been put on hold while the provincial government works with the Klahoose to secure one or more private parcels for the benefit of the Klahoose community.

Image credit: the Klahoose First Nation may soon have a treaty – Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash

The email was included in a staff report for the June 16 SRD Board Meeting.

Neither the audio or minutes were published in time for the podcast above, but they both added further details.

Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield is the SRD representative on the treaty advisory for the Klahoose, but said prior to this he has never received any information.

“I thought it was just disrespectful that we haven’t had that involvement and participation. We never have, to the best of my knowledge and I know that Director Abram was concerned about it. Klahoose is not just limited to Cortes Island, their traditional territory goes well beyond that,” he explained.

Regional Director Jim Abram added that he would like copies of any correspondance.

Cornfield put forward, and Abram seconded, a motion that a letter be sent to Premier Horgan, Indigenous Relations and the Klahoose First Nation. 

They wish to remind the Ministry that “Under the Community Charter, the local government is considered a level of government and we expect respectful treatment.”

Traditional territory of the Klahoose First Nation (in purple), segments of which were also traditional lands of the Tla’amin, Homalco, K’omoks, We Wai Kai or Wei Wai Kum Nations – screenshot of the BC Treaty Commission interactive map

The minutes show the motion carried and there were no opposing votes.

The Strathcona Regional District is writing Ms Jamieson to protest the ‘disrespectful manner’ that the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation did not consult with the SRD and copies are being sent to Premier Horgan, the Ministry and Klahoose First Nation.

This story was broadcast on June 17 and additional materials from the audio added on June 22, 2022.

Top image credit: Klahoose village and Administration Building viewed from a passing airplane – Photo by Roy L Hales

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