Emilee Gilpin Media

04/30/2026

Lax Kw'alaams leaders say the Kitselas Treaty Act claims more than 90 per cent of their territory and Wei Wai K*m leaders say the K'ómoks Treaty would impact roughly 80 per cent of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ territory.

“Our territories are unceded. We have not given up anything—we have not signed away any of our lands,” says Stan Dennis Jr., Galdamalgyax, hereditary chief and representative of the Nine Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams.

Leaders say the proposed treaty could also create economic uncertainty along the North Coast, including around development tied to the Port of Prince Rupert and broader trade corridors.

The K’ómoks Treaty and the proposed Kitselas Treaty Act were introduced in the B.C. legislature in April and are moving through the provincial ratification process. Both require approval by the legislature before finalization.

The provincial government says the agreements are the result of decades of negotiations and are intended to advance reconciliation.

VICTORIA, BC | April 28, 2026Story by Emilee GilpinFirst Nations leaders are calling on the provincial government to pause treaty legislation they say advanced without meaningful consultation, raising concerns about impacts on their rights, title and governing systems.Hereditary and elected leaders....

04/29/2026

VICTORIA, BC | April 28, 2026. Lax Kw'alaams and Wei Wai K*m are calling on the provincial government to pause treaty legislation they say advanced without meaningful consultation, raising concerns about impacts on their rights, title and governing systems. Read more here: https://share.snapchat.com/m/tuCRh2MN3pSs?share_id=3TT6Jdd6Rieq0qV2Fjrx5g&locale=en_CA

04/29/2026

Amshen (Joan Phillip for Vancouver-Strathcona) is an ally to working people and a devoted Indigenous leader. Many of us have fond memories of working in her joyful by-election campaign in 2023, and we've been fortunate to have her friendship as a strong voice and a principled, passionate advocate in government. At our 2024 Convention, she and her husband Grand Chief Stewart Phillip brought us to our feet cheering with a message of hope and justice in difficult times.

Today we're saddened to learn she is experiencing her own difficulties, and is seriously ill. Joan, we want you and Grand Chief Phillip to know our hearts are with you and we are at your side, with thoughts of hope and healing. Our solidarity and our love go out to you both.

04/28/2026

Nine allied tribes, Lax Kwa’aalams, Wei Wai K*m, and UBIC in a joint press conference to call for the immediate pause to neighbouring Nation’s treaties with BC which they say claim parts of their territories.

04/13/2026

SUN. APRIL 12, 2026.

Hereditary and elected leaders from the Wei Wai K*m and broader Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ, Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw and Nuu-Chah-nulth Peoples gathered in lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Royal BC Museum, Victoria) to call for an immediate pause to the ratification of the K’ómoks Treaty, warning that it infringes on their rights, title, and territory.

While firmly opposing the treaty in its current form and calling for an intentional pause and deliberation, leaders delivered a message of unity and hope, urging governments and neighbouring Nations to honour ancient governing systems and to work together toward a respectful and collaborative path forward.

02/16/2026

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01/30/2026

BREAKING: The Fish Farm Company MOWI's appeal over the removal of salmon farms in the Discovery Islands was dismissed. This is a decades old battle, led by many upholding an ancestral responsibility to preserve and protect their waters, salmon populations and healthy thriving communities for generations to come, backed by supporters, scientists and legal experts.

Report from Ecojustice: The Federal Court of Appeal has confirmed that open-net pen salmon farms will remain out of the Discovery Islands, marking a decisive win for wild salmon and coastal communities. The ruling upholds a June 2024 Federal Court decision, which affirmed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ ability to refuse aquaculture licenses in the Discovery Islands based on conservation concerns.

Legal fight:

December 2020: Minister Bernadette Jordan announced a phase-out of open-net pens in the Discovery Islands after consulting local First Nations.
2021–2022: Fish farm companies successfully challenged the decision in court.
February 2023: After consultation following the previous court challenges, Minister Joyce Murray refused to re-issue aquaculture licenses in the Discovery Islands based on conservation concerns. Fish farm companies challenged this decision in court.
June 2024: The Federal Court upheld Minister Joyce Murray’s decision to deny new licenses.
June 2025: The Court of Appeal has now affirmed the Federal Court’s ruling.

Photos by Emilee Gilpin.

Photo 1: 'Yalis, 2017: At the height of a community-led occupation of fish farms that lasted over a year and played a critical role in the removal of fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago.
Photo 2: Delegation at the Swanson Island occupation, 2017.
Photo 3: Swanson Island Occupation gathering, 2017: Ernest Alfred, Bob Chamberlin and David Suzuki, all who have played key roles in advocating for the protection of wild salmon.
Photo 4: Vancouver, 2018. Members of the Dzawada'enux First Nation filed a statement of claim in federal court, arguing the federal government authorized licenses for fish farms operating in their waters, without their consultation or consent.
Photo 5: 'Yalis, 2025: ʼNa̱mǥis Nation's test boat counting the high populations of salmon now returning after fish farms were removed.
Photo 6: Port Alberni 2025: ʼNa̱mǥis delegation showing support and sharing their success story at a Migratory Salmon Feast held to raise awareness on the harms of fish farms and power of solidarity.

12/30/2025

A photo is a moment, a story, a document for future generations. More to come in 2026 ⚡️

12/08/2025

Discipline leads to freedom

11/18/2025

11/18/2025

Guy Louie's nephew Leo Charlie dancing Guy's bear song and dance, Nov 1, 2025.

From a two-day feast in Port Alberni where First Nations leaders signed a historic declaration calling for the closure of open-net salmon farms in their waters.

Read more about the Potlatch for Migratory Salmon here: https://magiccanoe.org/this-potlatch-renewed-a-fierce-hope-for-wild-salmon/