To the editor,
On April 10, 2025 the Kitselas First Nation made history by ratifying a modern treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada, the first such agreement in northwestern BC since the Nisga'a Final Agreement. This is a momentous step — not just for Kitselas, but for everyone who lives, works, and shares space on these lands.
As a non-Indigenous person who works for Kitselas, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the immense dedication and wisdom that Kitselas leadership and community members have brought to the treaty process. It is the result of decades of negotiations, rooted in a deep commitment to self-determination, cultural strength, and stewardship of the land.
This treaty is not just about rights and responsibilities for Kitselas. It’s about the foundation of a renewed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Terrace and the surrounding region. It affirms what has always been true: that we live together on shared land, and that our futures are interconnected.
We are all treaty people. That means this agreement isn’t only a legal document between governments — it’s a living expression of mutual respect, recognition, and reconciliation. It is incumbent on each of us to understand our role in this relationship, and to carry its spirit and intent forward in how we live, work, and interact with one another.
We must be honest about the past. Canada has a disheartening record when it comes to honouring its historical treaty obligations. This truth adds even more weight to the responsibilities we all carry moving forward — to ensure that this treaty is upheld in both letter and spirit.
To my friends and neighbours who, like me, are not Kitselas members: this is a time to listen, to learn, and to celebrate the vision Kitselas has laid out for their own future — one grounded in strength, culture, and sovereignty.
Treaties are not the end of a conversation. They are the beginning of a new one.
Travis Freeland,
Gitselasu Stewardship Society,
Terrace, B.C.
