Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – The First Nations Summit (FNS) congratulates Kitselas First Nation and Kitsumkalum First on the signing today of their Agreements‐in‐ Principle (AIPs) with the governments of British Columbia and Canada.

“Kitselas First Nation and Kitsumkalum First Nation have shown great patience and determination following more than twenty years of hard fought negotiations. We applaud both communities for their hard work and perseverance to negotiate AIPs they believe appropriate for their respective communities”, said Cheryl Casimer of the FNS political executive. “These AIPs mark much needed progress as Kitsumkalum and Kitselas now formally move on to Stage 5 of negotiations and continue their efforts to reach final agreements in their efforts to becoming self‐governing nations.”

“The Kitselas and Kitsumkalum AIPs as well as the others that have been signed recently are critical signals for other First Nations that remain committed to the negotiation of fair, just and honourable treaties and show that real progress through good faith negotiations is attainable”, added Robert Phillips, also of the FNS political executive.