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Anti-Racism Legislation: Modern Treaty Nations interests

Last updated on March 1, 2024

Executive summary from Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations

Modern treaties provide a blueprint for reconciliation and a foundation for government-to-government relationships based on mutual respect and established rights. The modern treaty Nations in British Columbia are Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations, Nisga’a Nation, Tla’amin Nation, Toquaht Nation, Tsawwassen First Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government. Together, these modern treaty Nations form and collaborate through the Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations.

Executive Summary

The negotiation and implementation of modern treaties has generated unique knowledge and perspectives among modern treaty Nations about persistent forms of racism and colonialism and the necessity of anti-racist practices to enable the full expression of Indigenous and treaty rights in British Columbia. Drawing on this experience and expertise, Modern Treaty Nations share the following collective interests in new provincial anti-racism legislation:

  • Embed a distinctions-based approach, including recognition of Modern Treaty Nations as distinct, with unique treaty relationships and constitutionally protected rights.
     
  • Uphold modern treaty rights and relationships both at the individual treaty tables, and collectively through the implementation of the Shared Priorities Framework.
     
  • Acknowledge and address First Nations-specific racism, and the unique forms of racism and ongoing colonialism experienced by Modern Treaty Nations rooted in the lack of awareness and understanding among the public and public service about treaty rights.
     
  • Coherently align all related obligations and commitments between the anti-racism legislation, the Declaration Act Action Plan, and the Anti-Racism Data Act so as not to overburden Modern Treaty Nations with uncoordinated yet similar requests, and to reinforce the commitments already made by the Province to Indigenous peoples in BC.
     
  • Enable Modern Treaty Nation data sovereignty and data governance, including through the co-development of indicators, validation of data sources, shared analysis and reporting, and collective strategizing about results.
     
  • Include effective and meaningful investments in addressing present-day racism and colonialism. 

Modern Treaty Nations have experienced very real and widespread anti-Indigenous racism in their efforts to achieve tangible recognition and application of their treaty rights, and this racism continues to interfere with the expression of those rights today. It is key that the Province’s anti-racism legislation meaningfully addresses the unique realities of anti-Indigenous racism and properly structures government-to-government relationships with Modern Treaty Nations in the development and implementation of this legislation.