First Nations Leaders Protest Treaty Overlaps

0:00It's April 28th, Canada news today starts now. AI powered and ready? First nation's leaders from the Weiwei Kuhm, 9 ally tribes, and LXKAT wallowams, RG band rallied in Victoria on April 28th, pushing for a 1. 180-day pause on two new modern treaties for the Kho Mox and Kitsela's nations. Backed by the union of British Columbia Indian chiefs, they're worried about major overlaps in traditional territories as the province moves to ratify. These deals after more than 30 years of negotiations. These treaties would hand the Kho Mox over 34 square kilometers of land on Central Vancouver Island, plus self-government rights, and $56 million. Up north, the Kitsela's would get more than 38 square kilometers near Terrace and Port Essington, self-government, and $148 million in funding, but critics say up to 80 percent of the Kho Mox land clashes with neighboring claims.

1:01Leaders like Weiwei Kuhm chief Chris Roberts are fired up, warning that rushing ahead risks key infrastructure in their territories, a big BC hydrodame, powering nearly half of Vancouver Island, the island highway, and an $800 million wind farm project. They've spent two weeks in Victoria, with little headway, and they're ready for legal fights or even blockades of talk stall. The province's indigenous relations minister, Spencer, Shandra Herbert, admits overlaps are common and says they're negotiating nation to nation, but he won't predict if the bills pass before the legislative session ends on May 28th. A University of BC law expert notes modern treaties include clauses to protect other nation's rights, potentially requiring amendments if courts find, violations, with all sides digging in, the push for inclusive talks continues, and we'll keep tracking how this unfolds for everyone's territories and futures.