Members of the K'贸moks First Nation voted on March 8 to ratify their treaty and constitution.

鈥淭his has been a momentous day for our Nation," said elected Chief Councillor Nicole Rempel. "The Treaty vote is a critical democratic process for our community. Every member鈥檚 voice counts. Our future includes all our members, no matter how they cast their vote. We will find a path for our people and move forward together 鈥� h蓻h蓻w膷嫂s; Hayuthela la xens.鈥�

The ratification required a double majority to pass, which means that at least 50 per cent plus one of the enrolled voting members participate, and that at least 50 per cent plus one vote in favour of the K鈥櫭砿oks Constitution and the Treaty. This is a higher voting standard than any other vote in Canada.

Official K鈥櫭砿oks Ratification results indicate the following votes were cast to ratify the K鈥櫭砿oks Constitution:

• YES: 181 ballots, or 83 per cent of votes
• NO: 38 ballots, or 17 per cent of votes
• 1 spoiled ballot
• 218 ballots were cast out of 239 enrolled voters, or 91 per cent.

Official K鈥櫭砿oks Ratification results indicate the following votes were cast to ratify the Treaty:

• YES: 177 ballots, or 81 per cent of votes
• NO: 40 ballots, or 18 per cent of votes
• 2 spoiled ballots

218 ballots were cast out of 239 enrolled voters, or 91 per cent.

With 83 per cent of votes cast in favour of ratifying the Constitution, and 81 per cent of votes cast in favour of the Treaty, implementation of the K鈥櫭砿oks Constitution and Treaty will move forward.

Over the next approximately three years until the Treaty effective date, which still needs to be determined by the Nation, the Province and Canada, we will be getting ready for our transition to self-government. 

"We will be finalizing and working through our implementation plans, including restructuring our governing bodies, developing laws, creating Nation capacity, working with our neighbours, and carefully considering the tremendous economic opportunities that lay ahead for our people," a statement from KFN says.

Both the Province of B.C. and Canada must pass their own legislation to ratify the K鈥櫭砿oks Treaty, which will culminate with a signing ceremony sometime next year.

鈥淥n behalf of all British Columbians, I would like to offer congratulations to the members and leadership of K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation on the successful ratification of their treaty and constitution, said Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "In particular, I wish to congratulate Hegus Nicole Rempel of K'贸moks First Nation, K鈥櫭砿oks Council, Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, past Chief Councillors, the K鈥櫭砿oks Treaty Team, the Eligibility and Enrollment team, and the Tripartite Ratification Committee for all of their hard work and dedication that has brought us to this momentous day.

鈥淲ith negotiations on the K鈥櫭砿oks Treaty complete, and a successful K鈥櫭砿oks ratification vote, the K鈥櫭砿oks people have now chosen their path forward. This decision is one that generations of K鈥櫭砿oks people have worked toward," Boyle said. 鈥淭he K鈥櫭砿oks Treaty is a path to self-governance, recognition of rights, collaborative resource management and new economic opportunity. It provides the basis for a revitalized relationship between K鈥櫭砿oks, their neighbours and all levels of government by fostering shared understanding, providing certainty and supporting further work together in the region.鈥�