UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE
SQUAMISH, MUSQUEAM, AND
TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATIONS, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The First Nations Leadership
Council, the Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, and the Minister of
Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree, issued the
following statement today:
Statement by the First Nations Leadership
Council and Ministers Hajdu and Anandasangaree :Déclaration du
Conseil des leaders des Premières Nations et des ministres Hajdu et
Anandasangaree
"Our Gathering kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip ct is an annual
event held on the unceded, traditional ancestral territories of the
Coast Salish Peoples, the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. It is an opportunity for the
204 First Nations in British
Columbia to raise key areas for prioritization in our
Nation-to-Nation relationships.
First Nations in British
Columbia are leading the charge towards a better future for
their communities. They are pushing for a fair standard of living,
where they have housing, First Nations-led healthcare, access to
clean and reliable drinking water, the tools in place to respond to
emergency situations like wildfires and floods, and more
opportunities to build and develop their businesses—and the
Government of Canada will be a
partner in that work.
There is also important progress underway that will change the
trajectory of their relationships with the Government of
Canada by moving outside the
confines of the Indian Act, in ways that work for each
Nation. In many communities, this is the negotiation of Modern
Treaties or Self-Government Agreements that create greater
self-determination and control over lands, resources, and
jurisdictions, such as education and child welfare.
While progress is underway, there is a lot of work ahead to
build partnerships based in trust and cooperation. Canada must, for example, fully implement our
promises and obligations in line with the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopt the
First Nations Clean Water Act so First Nations have clean
drinking water for generations to come, and we have to double down
on our efforts to end the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender-Diverse People. Further,
continued urgent collective action is required to address the
homelessness and toxic drug poisoning crises. We are grateful for
the honest discussions that occurred, inspired by the stories that
were shared, and encouraged by the steps taken down the path of
reconciliation.
Our best wishes and immense gratitude to all who organized and
participated in Our Gathering."
The Government of Canada
was honoured to convene with First Nations leaders, members and
organizations in British Columbia
at Our Gathering kexwkexwntsút chet, tə sq̓əq̓ip ct. This marked
the 11th year of the gathering, co-hosted by the First Nations
Leadership Council, which is comprised of the First Nations Summit,
the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the BC Assembly of First Nations,
together with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous
Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada