A sign hanging around the feet of the John A. Macdonald monument in Victoria Park Tuesday morning indicated the city has begun consultation with elders and community members.

Canada's public safety minister says the government will be paying close attention to the independent inquiry into allegations of racism and police brutality brought forward by a First Nations chief, while another minister called the chief's account ``deeply troubling.''

Allegedly apprehended by RCMP for an expired licence plate, the chief of the Athabascan Chipewyan First Nation says he was beaten and arrested.

The virtual signing ceremony saw the hereditary chiefs and government ministers witness each other signing the document through Zoom, as travel has been restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The memorandum of understanding that's due to be signed will set the terms for months of negotiations on land rights and title for the Wet'suwet'en over their traditional territory in northern B.C.

The chiefs also addressed concerns from the elected leadership that they and other members of the Wet'suwet'en have not been properly consulted with.

The elected leadership say the pact on land rights and title has not been fully circulated to the Nation's clans for their input, and accuse the federal and B.C. governments of consulting in bad faith.

Days after a man was acquitted in the hit-and-run death of Brady Francis, Indigenous leaders addressed what they say are "injustices that are happening our people."

The agreement does not apply to the controversial Coastal GasLink pipeline project, which sparked the discussions that led to the deal.

With the Conservative leadership race underway, Jamie Schmale, the party's Crown-Indigenous Relations critic, said he is looking for what candidates have to offer on the file.