Historic vote ratifies K’ómoks Constitution and Treaty

March 20, 2025 ~ Heather Watson

“ It was interesting reading the outcome live on video. I was trying so hard to be stoic and non-emotional as I read it and I could hear my council, just the excitement behind me and it was really hard to not cheer right away. Yeah, just [a] really interesting moment in history, and in my life. To be making that announcement was pretty amazing,” said Chief Nicole Rempel.

On March 8th 2025, K’ómoks First Nation voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying both a Constitution and Treaty, achieving a double majority on each vote. 83% of votes were in favour of ratifying the Constitution, and 81% were in favour of ratifying the Treaty, with a remarkably high voter turnout of 91%. 

Nicole Rempel is Hegus, Chief Councillor of K’ómoks First Nation. She said elections for Chief and Council, which typically happen every two years, generally see a 40 to 45% voter turnout.

“ So this is pretty phenomenal. But you are talking about a big moment in K’ómoks First Nation history. It’s a really historic decision to leave the Indian Act, leave something that we’ve known for a hundred and however many decades long years, to transition to self-governance,” she said. “It was a really big decision for the community, and I’m really ecstatic to see the participation for such an important vote. I think, you know, nobody stayed home. And that’s the important thing. Everybody’s voice matters and we will just bring everybody forward as we move forward.”

This journey toward self-government is not new for K’ómoks First Nation, with talks of this Treaty beginning just over 30 years ago in 1994. Since then the nation has made major advancements, like signing a Land Code in 2016, which replaced roughly a third of the Indian Act and allowed the nation to manage their own lands and resources. More recently, in 2024, the nation appointed Dr. Marion Buller as their own Justice of the Peace. The first in Canadian Indigenous history, this appointment gives K’ómoks First Nation a means to recognize and enforce their own laws.

The nation voting to ratify their Constitution and Treaty is a momentous step further.

“Our ancestors didn’t have a choice in being thrust under the Indian Act and having that control over them. Being put on reserves and managed by somebody in Ottawa, and really dictated to on who could and couldn’t receive resources, even though they were K’ómoks,” Chief Rempel said. “So being self-governing is really important for inclusivity, and just ensuring that we bring all of our community and our membership along with us in this journey is really important. I am a firm believer in equality and fairness for everybody, and so it’s really an exciting time to see an opportunity like this, and the vision of our nation to just explore the treaty and to really just take the chance on leaving the Indian Act.”

Now that the K’ómoks Treaty has been ratified by the nation, it must also be ratified by both the provincial and federal governments, before K’ómoks First Nation proceed to a signing ceremony that they expect will take place sometime next year.

Chief Rempel said one key difference in the K’ómoks Treaty from the standard pattern is a 10 year review and renewal process, an opportunity every decade to assess and adjust the treaty if necessary. 

One challenge the nation faced preceding the March 8th vote was an injunction that descendants of the Salmon River Band filed to halt the process over concerns of land claim and title. The application was dismissed by the Supreme Court of B.C., finding no irreparable harm would be caused by the vote as it is one step in a long process. 

Chief Rempel said that K’ómoks First Nation has always acknowledged the shared territory and resources within the Salmon River, and is dedicated to finding new pathways to work together.

“When we do work together, we have demonstrated an exceptional ability to succeed with our neighbours. I’m hoping that we can sit aside one day and develop protocols together, having reasonable and respectful communications. I would love to move forward, I think there just needs to be a willingness on the other side,” she said.

In contrast, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) showed their support for K’ómoks First Nation with public statements in solidarity and congratulations ahead of and following the March 8th vote. 

Chief Rempel said that the Treaty Team has been engaging with the Alliance of B.C. Modern Treaty Nations for many years, and one lesson from those nations’ experiences was the significance of building relationships with local governments. Rempel said that this has been a priority since she was first elected in 2017.

“The CVRD has been an outstanding and exceptional partner with K’ómoks, throughout the last number of years since 2017, and maybe before that as well. But really partnering on projects together, especially around like sewer and water conveyance down to Union Bay to address their needs as well as K’ómoks’. So it’s been really fantastic to work with our local governments, and I really look forward to continuing to build those relationships,” she said.

Rempel is also looking forward to the future this treaty could afford for future generations.

“I have two children, they’re 24 and 21. And to see them take an interest in their future and the future generations and really listening to them, I think was really important, listening to all of our youth, because this treaty isn’t about my generation, it’s about future generations and creating those foundations for their opportunities,” Chief Rempel stated.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada. Reporting done in the Comox Valley is done in partnership with CVOX.