Hereditary chiefs representing the Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai, and Kwiakah Nations, and descendants of the Walitsama people, are strongly condemning the pending K’omoks treaty for including land near Sayward.
In a statement, they called it an unlawful attempt to rewrite history and lay claim to traditional Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ (Laichwiltach) lands, which they acquired after defeating the Salish and driving them south in the 19th century.
“Historically, the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations conquered the Salish Tribes that eventually became the K’ómoks Indian Band. These Tribes were driven south to Comox and feared to go north of Comox. However, over time, there were inter-marriages and peace initiatives and the K’ómoks agreed to work with the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ,” they say.
That resulted in a section of land at the mouth of the Salmon River, home of the Walitsama people, being designated a federal Indian Reserve for the K’omoks Nation in 1940 after the Walitsama amalgamated with the K’ómoks. However, the hereditary chiefs say during earlier treaty negotiations when they were working with the K’omoks nation, they all agreed to respect the Oyster River as a territorial boundary.
“If the K’ómoks Treaty is implemented, it will give K’ómoks exclusive ownership of the Salmon River Reserve which was originally granted to the Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ in 1886 and which is the site of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ grave sites, Bighouse remains, totem pole remains and family sites,” they say. “In other words, the K’ómoks Treaty would give K’ómoks fee simple ownership to the Salmon River Reserve and the right to deny entry to Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ members to visit their ancestral home and gravesite areas and for Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Hereditary Chiefs to hold potlatches and feasts at the sites at which their chieftainships are based.”
The nations raised their concerns last year when K’omoks initialed the treaty, signaling it could go to a member vote.
They are calling for a halt to the treaty ratification vote on March 8, and for meaningful consultation on the land in question, before it creates a permanent rift between the nations.
The K’omoks treaty has been under negotiation since 1994.
