VIDEO – Young members of the Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation placed personal mementos into a time capsule during a ceremony marking the introduction of provincial legislation to ratify the community’s treaty.
About 60 Tla’amin members travelled to Victoria for the event, which occurred on Thursday, February 14 at the BC legislature building. They were joined by BC Premier Christy Clark and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong, as well as MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast Nicholas Simons.
Tla’amin Chief Clint Williams became one of the few people to “approach the bar” in the legislature as the provincial legislation to ratify the treaty was introduced.
“Since the beginning of time our people have lived on the lands that the Creator provided for us, provided for our ancestors,” Williams said in his remarks. “We have lived by a traditional system of governance that sustained us and our lands and resources for thousands of years. Our society governed all forms of environmental, social and political relations through a sophisticated system of traditional laws, as is our traditional way. It is from this proud history that Tla’amin derive our inherent right to self-government. With jurisdiction and responsible leadership, we’ll create economic and employment opportunities.”
The Tla’amin final agreement includes self-government provisions and defines its ownership and management of mineral, forestry and other resources on treaty settlement lands. The treaty also defines Tla’amin’s rights related to fishing, gathering and harvesting.
Williams also said that witnessing the community’s youth celebrate another step toward their freedom was an inspiration. “The journey to this point has been very challenging for our community,” he said. “We will encounter new challenges as we continue to navigate our way to the effective date of our treaty. Overcoming those challenges will define us as Tla’amin. There is much work to do in our community as we prepare for our independence from the Indian Act.”
Clark credited the community’s leaders, who had resilience, tenacity and courage, for the success of the treaty.
“This is a historic day for the Tla’amin people, for those who have worked long and hard to reach this moment and, perhaps most of all, for the youth who will come of age under the treaty,” she said. “We are now within sight of implementing a final treaty agreement that will bring certainty and economic benefits to Tla’amin members and to the surrounding region, and will ultimately benefit all British Columbians.”
Williams told the Peak introduction of the legislation is one step in the treaty process. “It was nice to be able to be there and celebrate that step with many of our community members,” he said. “It was great to have the celebration, but keeping in mind it’s another accomplishment for us as we work toward the effective date of the treaty, because the exact same thing has to happen in Ottawa.”
Provincial legislators will debate the treaty legislation before voting on its approval. If approved, it will go to Ottawa to be approved by Parliament.
The treaty will take effect on a date to be determined by the parties.
There were tears of joy during the ceremony, which Williams attributed to the community’s history post-contact. “Some of the grandchildren have heard stories of what their grandparents and parents have gone through throughout their lives,” he said. “Looking at the progress that’s been happening and being able to celebrate there with some of their grandparents made it quite emotional. This process hasn’t been an easy one to date. We’ve had challenges along the way.”
Tla’amin is the eighth first nation to witness the introduction of its treaty legislation in the BC legislature under the BC treaty process. The other seven are Tsawwassen First Nation, the five Maa-nulth First Nations and the Yale First Nation, whose treaty must still be ratified by Canada.
Videos are courtesy of www.klahowya.ca
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