I am a member and have lived my whole life in the Tsartlip Village, a proud member of the Bartleman/Olsen family who have been in the W̱SÁNEĆ territory for countless generations. My Coast Salish name is SȾHENEP.
There has been a monumental change in the relationship between the federal/provincial/municipal and Indigenous governments in the time since I entered public service in 2008, as a municipal councillor in Central Saanich. The change has not only been in government, but throughout all parts of our society. In short, we have come a long way. That said, we still have a long way to go!
I am thankful that the BC Green caucus was invited to the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leadership Gathering in Vancouver this week. I, and my colleagues Andrew Weaver and Sonia Furstenau, spent a lot of time meeting with Indigenous leaders from across the province. In our meetings with the Chiefs, we heard both a deep frustration with the provincial government and also a hopefulness that the relationship will continue to grow and change.
It is very important to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible Indigenous leaders in British Columbia and across Canada. Having lived on a reserve, and worked in on-reserve housing, I have seen first-hand how Chiefs and Councils have to find solutions to the most pressing challenges of any community and often with the least resources of any level of government. These tensions and stresses have forged unbelievable leadership. I raise my hands to them.
As the BC Green Party advocate, spokesperson and critic for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation it is my job to work with Minister Scott Fraser, and my colleagues in government, to advance ideas and good public policy, build strong relationships and also to have the courage to stand up and say what needs to be said even though it may be difficult to hear.
In negotiating with the BC NDP and BC Liberals to create a stable provincial government, it was critical for the whole BC Green Party caucus that future public policy was founded on our commitment to renewing the relationship with Indigenous people in British Columbia. It has to be a priority, and a fundamental underpinning of everything we do going forward. The economic, environmental and social prosperity of our province is at stake.
Our Confidence and Supply Agreement with the BC NDP clearly identifies this priority. It was very encouraging to see the issues we highlighted around the United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Tsilhqot’in decision and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations prominently featured in the mandate letters of the Cabinet.
I feel confident that the politicians get it, but a primary concern I heard from First Nations leaders is that they question whether the bureaucracy is on the same page. It is critical that we address these concerns so it does not undermine the good work we have ahead.
So how do we move forward together? How do we address the issues of free, prior and informed consent? How do we implement the Tsilhqot’in decision and other title claims? What is reconciliation? These are all questions that we could allow to overwhelm us, we could throw our hands in the air and say it is too difficult and fall back to the perceived safety of the status quo.
I will always seek solutions and so I want to highlight one opportunity for us. It is imperative that government finally utilizes the Select Standing Committee of Aboriginal Affairs. The committee has existed and sat idle for the past decade and a half under the BC Liberals. It should be meeting regularly, hearing testimony from leaders, stakeholders, academics and community members on these important and critical issues on the public record.
We have a significant opportunity to renew the relationship for the good of all British Columbians and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the BC NDP government and BC Liberal opposition to bring forward meaningful and lasting change in our province.
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