The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and the Kitsumkalum First Nations Community announced in a joint statement on Feb. 29 that they signed their new Relationship Protocol Agreement.
The agreement between both parties is in place to help them govern how they will work together in future.
During the formal ratification last year, both parties gathered on the traditional territories of Kitsumkalum Laxyuup, according to the joint statement.
“It was important that we started this new relationship off in a way that honoured our traditional customs – the signing was witnessed by our [people] and solidified by a feast,” said Don Roberts, chief of Kitsumkalum, in the statement. “It was also important that the PRPA representatives, which included the Board of Directors and members of the executive team, were there to participate in, and witness, this important custom – this is how true understanding, trust, and mutual respect is built.”
CFNR spoke with Ken Veldman, vice president of public affairs and sustainability for PRPA, about the agreement. CFNR reached out to Kitsumkalum but they were unavailable for comment before the time of publication.
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