When Premier Christy Clark travelled to the Nemiah Valley in the Chilcotin to meet with the leaders of the Tsilhqot’in people on Sept. 10, it marked the second historical event for the First Nation in the past four months.
The Sept. 10 visit was the first time a B.C. premier has met with a First Nation on its traditional land.
It was also the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in British Columbia.
Clark signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with the Tsilhqot’in people showing the government’s commitment to work together with the First Nation to achieve a “just and lasting reconciliation” and setting the stage for long-term negotiations.
Discussion focused on the first historic achievement for the Tsilhqot’in – the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in June stating the First Nation had Aboriginal title to its traditional territory.
The premier said the Supreme Court of Canada had provided the province with clarity, direction, and a profound opportunity to build a more positive relationship between the province and the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
“The way forward starts with a renewed and strengthened vision of First Nations as partners in the economic, political and social future of this province.”
The LOU outlines the steps that need to be taken to achieve this common goal between the province and the Tsilhqot’in people.
It has been a long journey for the Tsilhqot’in to achieve Aboriginal title to their land, starting with the Chilcotin War in 1864/65 when the First Nation’s chiefs were hung for attempting to stop non-Aboriginals from crossing their lands to get to the gold fields in the Cariboo.
On Sept. 11, First Nations leaders from across the province met with cabinet members.
They said the Supreme Court decision established a new reality and legal landscape for our transformed relationship.
It’s clear the Aboriginal people of the province believe they deserve to be equal partners with the Crown in the development of B.C.
They also believe it is time to start down the path to making this partnership a productive reality.
We can only hope Premier Clark and her B.C Liberal government are up to the task, and this isn’t a political Band Aid.
All British Columbians will have to show the patience, understanding and resolve to carve out this new partnership.
