Tla’amin Nation celebrated the ushering in of a new era of self-government and self-reliance one minute after midnight on Tuesday, April 5.
Ash from a bonfire fell like snow on a crowd of about 100 people outside the nation’s government house. Everyone present was given a page from the Indian Act to place on the fire in a symbolic gesture of freedom.
“This is a day of triumph for all Tla’amin people,” stated hegus Clint Williams, formerly known as chief. Hegus is the Tla’amin word for leadership.
“I’m proud of my community for choosing a path of change, that while difficult at times, provides us with a new beginning as a self-governing nation free of the Indian Act,” said Williams.
The crowd gathered for singing, dancing and drumming. Later, at an early morning legislative session, Tla’amin’s lawmakers passed provisions for the nation’s self-government, land and capital transfers.
Tla’amin’s chief treaty negotiator Roy Francis said the buildup to the event has been a mix of emotions during the past few days.
“There’s been sadness for members of our community who are no longer with us,” said Francis, “happiness for our young people, whose future we know is going to be different, and excitement for the community that was able to witness the event with us.”
Next week’s issue of the Peak will feature further coverage of the treaty ceremonies in our special section, Tla’amin Nation: Recognizing Self-governance.
