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For The Record

NEW RELATIONSHIP ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDERSCORE PROGRESS

Sept. 29, 2009
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
 
Letters to the Editor
Opinion Editorials

Progress is being made toward recognition and reconciliation of Aboriginal issues in British Columbia. Highlights of government initiatives to build a new relationship and close the socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal and other British Columbians, between November 2006 and January 2009, include the following:

Recognition and Reconciliation:
The Province is building a new relationship with First Nations based on recognition, respect, and reconciliation of Aboriginal rights and title. Over the past two years, government has:

  • Achieved a reconciliation agreement with Musqueam Indian Band that settles three court cases and provides a framework for economic development.
  • Settled a historic land claim with the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations that included the site of the B.C. Legislature.
  • Resolved cut-off claims disputes with the Seton Lake Indian Band, Gitwangak Band Council, Metlakatla Band and Lax Kw'alaams Indian Band – the remaining, nearly century old, disputes in B.C.
  • Signed an agreement with the Kwadacha First Nation that addresses historic damages from the creation and operation of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Williston Reservoir and builds opportunities for community, economic and cultural development for future generations.
  • Committed to replacing murals in the B.C. Legislature deemed offensive to First Nations.
  • Passed legislation for two historic modern day treaties with Tsawwassen and Maa-nulth First Nations (comprising five Vancouver Island First Nations), representing the first urban and multi-nation treaties signed under the BC Treaty Process.
  • Signed the first-ever Incremental Treaty Agreement with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, providing shared benefits in advance of a final agreement.
  • Signed a mutual understanding with the Yale First Nation, concluding treaty negotiations between Yale and the Province.
  • Continue to negotiate Final Agreements with Sliammon, Yekooche, and In-SHUCK-ch First Nations.

Land Use, Resources and Economic Development:
The Province is working in partnership with First Nations to improve local economies and increase Aboriginal participation in land-use planning, resource benefit sharing and economic opportunities by:

  • Signing land use planning agreements with First Nations including the Haida, Squamish, and In-SHUCK-ch, and First Nations in the Morice planning area.
  • Contributing $30 million to the Coast Opportunities Fund directed toward First Nations involved in activities including fisheries, forestry and tourism along the central and north coast.
  • Providing $8.4 million to address mountain pine beetle impacts, and concluding forestry agreements with 153 First Nations, providing nearly $223.8 million in revenue and access to almost 35.5 million cubic metres of timber.
  • Providing $2.8 million to help train people from First Nations and rural communities for employment in the mining sector.
  • Committing $5 million to Aboriginal Tourism BC to increase tourism opportunities in First Nations communities.
  • Signed a 13-year Economic Benefit Agreement with Blueberry River First Nations providing approximately $1.3 million in annual revenues, as well as four land and resource management agreements.
  • Signed economic benefits agreements with four Treaty 8 First Nations, providing a share of financial benefits from natural resource development on part of the First Nations’ territory and enhance land-use collaboration in B.C.’s northeast region.
  • Released a joint report with First Nations Leadership Council, “Journey to Economic Independence: B.C. First Nations’ Perspectives”, focusing on how B.C. First Nations are creating economic opportunity for their communities.

Language, Culture and Sport:
British Columbia is home to a rich and living legacy of First Nations languages and traditions. The Province is taking steps to support the resilience of First Nations communities as they work to preserve their cultural heritage. In addition to existing provincial funding, government has:

  • Unveiled plans for the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion, a 65-foot high inflated multi-media sphere to showcase the diversity of Aboriginal art, business, culture and sport from across Canada.
  • Announced a $1.2 million Language and Culture Plan.
  • Provided $250,000 in funding to support the electronic preservation of B.C. First Nations languages.
  • Provided $3.5 million to support the 2008 North American Indigenous Games and for the The Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole: Carve a Moment in History tour.
  • Officially opened the Skwxwú7mesh Lil’wat7úl (Squamish Lil’wat) Cultural Centre, a world-class venue showcasing Squamish and Lil’wat cultures as well as Aboriginal cultures from across B.C. and Canada.
  • Launched Canada’s first Aboriginal Sport Gallery and touring exhibit.

Education:
As part of an overall effort to close the gap in education and support Aboriginal learners, the Province is helping historically disadvantaged First Nations students gain greater access to life-long education and learning opportunities through:

  • Enacting historic legislation that recognizes First Nations jurisdiction over on-reserve schools.
  • Signing 43 Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements; and supporting Aboriginal literacy programs.
  • Establishing a $65 million Aboriginal post-secondary strategy and a $10 million scholarship fund.
  • Provided over $30 million for broadband connectivity for First Nations communities in B.C.

Health:
Many First Nations experience increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, addiction and mortality. The Province is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal citizens. Over the past year, government has:

  • Launched Canada’s first Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, held the first annual First Nations Health Forum, and funded a $6-million Aboriginal ActNow BC program.
  • Appointed its first Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor and committed to increasing the number of Aboriginal nurses.
  • Established two interim authorities to deliver services to Aboriginal children and families.
  • Provided $3 million in funding and a transfer of land for the development of the Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness Village near Chilliwack.

Housing:
Quality housing is the foundation for better health, social, and economic outcomes, yet has remained out of reach for many First Nations. The Province has taken concrete steps to address the housing problem facing many Aboriginal citizens, living both on and off reserve through:

  • Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Canada and the First Nations Leadership Council, agreeing to work together to improve housing conditions on and off reserve for BC’s First Nations people.
  • Funding over 200 off-reserve housing units through the $50.9 million Aboriginal Housing Initiative.
  • Working with the Aboriginal Housing Management Authority to build capacity to administer 2,660 housing units for Aboriginal people living off reserve.
  • Funding $585,000 (annually) to support the Aboriginal Homeless Outreach Program in nine BC communities including: Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, Duncan, Kamloops, Kelowna, Dawson Creek, Prince George and Fort St. John.
  • Built more than 4,000 new and upgraded supportive housing units and shelter beds through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which will benefit many homeless Aboriginal people living off-reserve.
  • In early 2008, undertook a province-wide engagement process involving over 250 people from Aboriginal organizations, First Nations and other groups to inform and guide future work related to off-reserve Aboriginal housing. The summary report was released in November 2008.

The Province is committed to building new relationships with Aboriginal people, founded on reconciliation, recognition and respect. Since 2005, programs and initiatives have been achieved through healthy working relationships between government, First Nations, and Aboriginal organizations.

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Letters to the Editor

July 7, 2009
Letter to the Editor
CALLS FOR CONSULTATION PREMATURE
By George Abbott
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Submitted: Alberni Valley Times
Status: Published
I'd like to respond to your July 6 Opinion 'First Nations must be a top priority in B.C.' regarding the Recognition and Reconciliation discussion paper and potential legislation. [Read More]

July 7, 2009
Letter to the Editor
FULL CONSULTATION WITH FIRST NATIONS COMES FIRST
By George Abbott
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Submitted: The Daily News (Nanaimo)
Status: Published
The idea of reconstituted indigenous nations is a key part of the discussion paper posted at the B.C. government website. [Read More]

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Opinion Editorials

October 2, 2009
Opinion Editorial
NISGA'A FIRST NATION LEADER BECOMES PRESIDENT OF UBCM
By George Abbott
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Submitted: Province-wide
Status: Unpublished
"The legal authority to make decisions and institute them on behalf of one's constituents is crucial to achieving sustained, positive economic and social change; this is as true for First Nations as for all other communities." [Read More]

June 25, 2008
Opinion Editorial
RECONCILIATION EFFORTS REACH GOAL AS TREATY IS FINALIZED IN OTTAWA
By Michael de Jong
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Submitted: The Delta Optimist
Status: Published July 9, 2008
The Tsawwassen treaty now has royal assent, with federal legislators giving it a resounding endorsement as it progressed through the upper chamber in Ottawa. [Read More]

May 9, 2008
Opinion Editorial
GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO VULNERABLE ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: N/A
Status: Not Published
In the past several weeks, there has been a great deal of attention and focus on the challenges associated with better serving the child welfare needs of Aboriginal communities - an issue that successive governments have attempted to address. [Read More]