Opinion: If treaties are the highest form of reconciliation, why all the anti-treaty noise?

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOpinionOp-Ed Opinion: If treaties are the highest form of reconciliation, why all the anti-treaty noise? Murray Rankin and Mark L. Stevenson: Part of the answer may lie in wedge politics, public confusion, and the government’s controversial response to DRIPA. Four concerns deserve answers Author of the article: By Murray Rankin, Mark L. Stevenson Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 4 minute read Chief negotiators signed the Kitselas Treaty, the product of 30 years of work, in June 2024. From far left, Cyril Bennett-Nabess, deputy chief councillor of Kitselas FN. Seated, from left: Frank Osentarp, federal chief negotiator; Glenn Bennett, chief of Kitselas First Nation; Mark Lofthouse, B.C. chief negotiator. Standing, from left: Gary Anandasangaree, then minister of crown — Indigenous relations and northern affairs; Susan Bevan, Kitselas citizen; and Murray Rankin, then B.C. minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation. PHOTO BY GOVERNMENT OF B.C. Article content For decades, politicians of every stripe have called modern treaties the highest form of reconciliation between First Nations and the Crown. Treaties replace conflict with agreement, uncertainty with clarity, and unresolved claims with durable rules. Article content Why, after decades of cross-party support, are three hard-won treaties now a source of alarm? Article content Article content K’ómoks, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum each ratified a treaty in 2025 after roughly 30 years of negotiation, with overwhelming member support. The B.C. legislature enacted the K’ómoks Treaty Act this spring, but only after raucous debate. It now moves to Parliament, where Pierre Poilievre says Conservative MPs will oppose the implementing legislation. Article content Article content The Kitselas Treaty Act requires further debate; Kitsumkalum will follow. Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The treaties’ purpose has not changed; certainty for the Crown and private property owners as well as greater access to lands and resources for the First Nations. These agreements were negotiated by the First Nations, Canada and B.C., and endorsed by the Nations’ members. Article…