Tackling tense political waters to be a talking point during First Nations Leaders’ Gathering

B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee is among several Indigenous leaders and provincial officials in Vancouver for the tenth B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering.

Premier David Eby, along with with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Chief Shana Thomas, political executive and Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, opened the event this morning (Tuesday).

The gathering enables First Nations leaders and provincial government officials to discuss important community issues through one-on-one meetings.

More than 1,300 people have registered for the gathering, with representation from more than 200 First Nations and every provincial government ministry.

“This gathering between First Nations and representatives of the provincial government has become increasingly critical. We have seen a troubling rise in anti-Indigenous rhetoric inside and outside of the legislature, including residential school denialism and attempts to repeal B.C.’s commitment to the universal human rights of Indigenous Peoples as articulated by the UN Declaration. This surge in bigoted and harmful rhetoric risks setting back reconciliation and the achievements and successes that First Nations have achieved in partnership with B.C. by decades. I look forward to working with the B.C. government as we assess recent political and economic challenges and begin to discuss and develop strategies that will benefit all British Columbians.” said Teegee 

Over two days, more than 1,300 one-to-one meetings between provincial and First Nations leaders are scheduled.

“Partnership with First Nations means increased prosperity for all British Columbians. More homes, more jobs, more wealth, more protected wild spaces, safer communities and less time, money and uncertainty wasted on lawsuits. The work we are doing at this conference, together, will benefit everyone in the province,” added Eby.

The two-day gathering ends tomorrow (Wednesday).