UN declaration is focus of government, First Nations meetings in B.C.: grand chief
Health care, homelessness, land and resources are among the key topics to be discussed at meetings between British Columbia cabinet ministers and representatives from more than 200 First Nations organizations.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said Tuesday that landmark B.C. legislation requiring laws be consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the foundation to get that work done.
“I think we've moved beyond the 'I talk,' I think we've moved beyond the flirting, and I think now is the time, with the foundation and platform of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, to do some serious work,” he said.
Phillip made the comments at the start of the seventh B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders' Gathering. It comes three years after the province passed the legislation.
Cheryl Casimer, with the First Nations Summit political executive, said First Nations are trying to change archaic and colonial institutions and structures that never used to have space for Indigenous partners.
She said since the legislation passed, First Nations have a stronger vision of what they want to see, “how to breathe life” into the act, and how to implement it in their communities.
“And in order to do that, we have to continue to do that in partnership between ourselves and with the provincial government,” she said.
In his speech to the meeting, Premier David Eby said his government is committed to implementing the declaration and also wants to be able to address specific issues seen in communities.
He has appointed Doug White as special counsel to the premier on Indigenous reconciliation.
White is a lawyer, First Nations negotiator, a former chief of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and was the co-chair of Eby's transition team.
The premier says White's role will be to help navigate issues involving multiple provincial ministries and the federal government.
Eby said he recognized that there is more work to be done including on a new fiscal framework to ensure that First Nations governments have the revenues they need to look after their constituents.
“The new fiscal framework will support self-determination to achieve a provincewide future where First Nations are the active leaders. (A future) where, through self-determination, you are guiding your own communities to prosperity and to success for your people,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.