As of midnight Tuesday, April 5, 2016, the people of Tla’amin Nation are self-governing. We congratulate them on this long-awaited and momentous occasion.
Tla’amin Nation has the fourth treaty to come into effect in BC and will now begin the process of gathering the funds and authority to secure its own future, no longer bound by the restrictive and antiquated Indian Act.
Tla’amin’s self-governance will be the topic of ongoing coverage and discussion in the Powell River area, which is situated on Tla’amin traditional territory. For now, we honour the Tla’amin people and their journey under a self-governing nation.
The road toward treaty implementation has been long and arduous for the Tla’amin people, and with notable division. Now that self-governance is official, the work will continue to amplify for Tla’amin Nation.
Throughout history Tla’amin people have supported each other, no matter what happens, and self-governance will be the most important stage for the nation in reclaiming its rights and further bonding its people.
With self-governance comes Tla’amin Nation’s freedom to make decisions about the future of its land, now comprised of over 8,300 hectares. Based on their ancient connection to the area, these are decisions that Tla’amin people will make with much caution and contemplation.
The vital difference is these are now decisions Tla’amin Nation will make itself, and everyone who lives in this area must respect and honour those decisions, as they are based on history and knowledge that far exceeds colonial history.
Ultimately, Tla’amin’s self-governance is about freedom and equality for the first people. Everyone needs to recognize this and do their best to honour it with optimism that becoming a nation provides a brighter future and more opportunities for Tla’amin people.
For now, treaty implementation is a perfect opportunity to reflect on what brought the Tla’amin people to this stage in their history. Reconciliation can be a loaded term and, no matter one’s opinion on the federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it can only truly be achieved when everyone comes to terms with their shared history. This may never be fully realized, but self-governance should be positive and healing for Tla’amin people.
Next week, the Peak’s Wednesday, April 13, edition will feature a Tla’amin Nation: Recognizing Self-governance supplement. The special section will include more thoughts and reflections on the recent treaty implementation and a chance for local businesses and governments to congratulate Tla’amin on this landmark event. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly encouraging.
This positive and optimistic response is a strong indication of the support Powell River region will give Tla’amin going forward as its own nation.
Jason Schreurs, publisher/editor
