It will be two years or more after the B.C. legislature ratifies the K’ómoks treaty — assuming it is voted on and passed today — before Ottawa follows suit and it formally takes effect.

The parties will need every minute of that time and then some to smooth out the nagging problem of overlapping claims.

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert outlined the magnitude of that issue during debate on ratification.

The federal and provincial governments and the K’ómoks Nation spent more than 30 years negotiating the treaty, but when it arrived at the legislature last month it prompted objections and protests from neighbouring north Island nations. That is ­running parallel to the debate on the ratification bill.

It continued this week in Campbell River, where Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai leaders warned at a protest of escalating actions if the bill is passed.

There was talk of being ignored and disrespected by a government that is refusing to listen to their concerns that the treaty infringes on........

© Times Colonist