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MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Having recently celebrated my second National Aboriginal Day as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, it seems a good time to look back on what has been a very busy and eventful year.
Over the past twelve months I have been honoured to have met with First Nations leaders from across the province and been welcomed into their communities. I have participated in a number of events to announce agreements, protocols and achievements in the spirit of the New Relationship, and have celebrated Aboriginal culture with people from around the world at the Aboriginal Pavilion during the 2010 Olympic Games.
There have been many accomplishments over the past twelve months that stand out as shining examples of the leadership and vision shown by Aboriginal peoples here in B.C.
Addressing the Tsawwassen First Nation Legislative Assembly to acknowledge the first anniversary of the Tsawwassen treaty, the initialling of the Yale Final Agreement, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Nisga’a treaty and signing a final agreement with three of the Treaty 8 First Nations are just some of the highlights.
A memorandum of understanding signed between B.C. and the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective will promote the expression of Aboriginal youth perspectives into government policy and program development on issues that matter to Aboriginal youth and communities.
The Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of B.C., gifted the people of B.C. with a hand-carved red cedar canoe as a symbol to encourage better understanding amongst all people.
Most recently, Tla’amin Nation (formerly Sliammon First Nation) came to a negotiators’ understanding with B.C. and Canada around a Final Agreement, and the name Haida Gwaii was restored to the Queen Charlotte Islands at a wonderful community celebration on Haida Gwaii.
Of course, 2010 will always be remembered as the year in which the Four Host First Nations - Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh - made history as the first indigenous people ever to be recognized by the International Olympic Committee as official hosts of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. In recognition, the Province proclaimed May 27, 2010 as Four Host First Nations Day in B.C.
This summer, I am looking forward to having the opportunity to spend time talking with people in communities all across the province, hearing about the ideas, thoughts and concerns that are top of mind.
Hon. George Abbott, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
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Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Popular Topics
First Nations in B.C.
Find out information about First Nations by region and access a complete list of First Nations in B.C.
Reconciliation Agreements
In 2005, the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council entered into a New Relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation. The Province has completed several agreements with First Nations in B.C. that create the opportunity for comprehensive and lasting reconciliation.
Incremental Treaty Agreements
British Columbia has committed to pursue incremental treaty agreements to help First Nations benefit earlier in the treaty-making process. An ITA is a legally-binding pre-treaty agreement that allows First Nations and the Province to enjoy shared benefits in advance of a Final Agreement.
Final Agreements
The Province, working with individual First Nations and the federal government, is focussed on building opportunities that will provide a better future for all British Columbians. Treaties play a critical role by helping First Nations achieve independence, stable governance structures, social justice, and economic self-reliance.
Métis Nation Relationship Accord
The Province and the Métis Nation British Columbia have an Accord which identifies a number of objectives, including strengthen the existing relationships based on mutual respect, responsibility and sharing and following through on intentions and commitments of the First Ministers' Meeting on Aboriginal issues as they pertain to Métis people.
Urban Aboriginal Strategy
In 1999, the federal government committed to address the serious socio-economic conditions that many urban Aboriginal people face. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy has a dozen pilot projects in priority urban centres across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
The Strategy encourages cooperation and creates partnering opportunities among stakeholders, improving access to programs and services and coordination of programs and services.
Pronunciation Guide - B.C. First Nations
If you are uncertain how to pronounce the names of some B.C. First Nations, this is the resource for you.
Media Room
Find out the latest news from the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
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NAME ‘HAIDA GWAII’ RESTORED TO ISLANDS
Premier Gordon Campbell (centre) and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation George Abbott (front row, 3rd from left) with the Haida Nation Hereditary Chiefs Council and President of the Haida Nation Guujaaw (back row, left) at the Giving Back the Name With Respect Ceremony in Old Massett June 17, 2010. At the ceremony the Haida Nation formally returned the name Queen Charlotte Islands and restored the name Haida Gwaii.
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FINAL AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THREE TREATY 8 FIRST NATIONS
Minister Abbott and Tribal Chief Liz Logan shake hands after signing the last of ten agreements, including an Amended Economic Benefits Agreement, that make up the Final Agreement, May 20, 2010. The three First Nations signatories are Doig River, West Moberly, and Prophet River.
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MINING FOCUSES ON FIRST NATIONS PARTNERSHIPS
Minister Abbott is joined by Gwaans (Beverley Clifton Percival), Chair of the B.C. All-Chiefs Task Force and Gavin C. Dirom, AME BC President and CEO at the Association of Mineral Exploration B.C. Speaker Series event in Vancouver April 30, 2010.
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FOUR HOST FIRST NATIONS DAY PROCLAIMED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Minister Abbott joins (from L) Four Host First Nations CEO Tewanee Joseph, Squamish Nation Chief Bill Williams, Squamish Naton Councillor Julie Baker and Premier Gordon Campbell in the Legislature May 27, 2010 to proclaim Four Host First Nations Day. May 27th marked the 2,010th day since the Four Host First Nations Society was created.
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NISGA'A NATION CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SELF GOVERNMENT
Minister Abbott joins Jody Wilson-Raybould, Regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Natonal Chief of the Assembly of First Nations at the celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the Nisga'a Final Agreement on May 11, 2010.
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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PRESENTS HAND-CARVED CANOE TO PROVINCE
Minister Abbott and (from L) Songhees Elder Elmer George, House Speaker Bill Barisoff, master carver Chief Tony Hunt, Lieutenant Governor Steven Point and Premier Gordon Campbell were on hand at the Parliament Buildings April 27th for a ceremony in which the Lieutenant Governor presented a hand-carved canoe to the Province. The canoe was carved by the Lieutenant Governor with the assistance of Tony Hunt.
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MEMBERS OF THE FIRST PEOPLES' HERITAGE, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE COUNCIL VISIT THE LEGISLATURE
On April 21, 2010 members of the First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council (FPHLCC) visited the Legislature for the introduction of amendments to the First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Act to help preserve Aboriginal languages in British Columbia. (From L-R) FPHLCC staff member Alex Wadsworth, ministry staff member Stephanie Gabel, FPHLCC staff member Peter Brand, Minister George Abbott, Haida Nation board member Tamara Davidson, ministry staff member Mariann Burka (back), FPHLCC Executive Director Tracey Herbert, FPHLCC staff member Susan de Stephanis, FPHLCC consultant Ian Batey (back), and FPHLCC staff member Rae Leitch.
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MINISTER SPEAKS ABOUT LAND AT CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER
Minister Abbott, seen here with Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner of the First Natons Tax Commission, addresses participants at the Conference on Land: Economic and Social Platform for First Nations conference which took place March 16, 2010. |
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MOU REINFORCES PROVINCE'S COMMITMENT TO ABORIGINAL YOUTH
Minister Abbott and representatives from the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective signed a Memorandum of Understanding March 12, 2010 that will promote the expression Aboriginal youth perspectives in government policy and program development on issues that matter to Aboriginal youth and communities. (From L-R) Samantha Cardinal, Youth Representative BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Provincial Youth Council; Jerrilyn Webster, Executive Director Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association; Ken Watts, Youth Representative, BC Assembly of First Nations; Minister George Abbott; Stephanie Albiston, Minister of Youth, Métis Youth of British Columbia, Métis Nation B.C.
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