TNG Endorses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada for 2021 Federal Election

Courtesy of the Tsilhqot'in National Government:

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is endorsing a Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau in the upcoming Federal election on September 20th. 

Under the direction of Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Government, Canada finally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) without qualification and passed legislation to implement UNDRIP within Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Government prioritized Indigenous communities during the pandemic for vaccinations and aided in the overall COVID-19 response within Tŝilhqot’in communities. 

Without this, the health of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and many other Indigenous communities would have been even further compromised. Prime Minister Trudeau has shown leadership over his time in office by working closely with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and addressing the hard issues that matter to the Tŝilhqot’in. In 2018, Trudeau delivered a historic statement exonerating the six Tŝilhqot’in War Chiefs of 1864/65 of any wrongdoing, with the full support of Parliament. Later that year he delivered this statement of exoneration directly to our people on Tŝilhqot’in title lands. 

In 2019, the signing of the tripartite Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement demonstrated the commitment of the Liberal Government to the hard work and sustained partnership required to advance reconciliation.  

TNG Tribal Chair/Chief Joe Alphonse said:

"“No previous Prime Minister has engaged with the Tŝilhqot’in in such an effective manner as Trudeau. Through Trudeau’s actions, we have seen that he is willing to take the time and resources needed to tackle the almost insurmountable mess that the legacy of colonization and residential schools have left. As the only recognized holders of Aboriginal title in Canada, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation is leading the way on how a true nation-to-nation relationship can happen.”

“As Indigenous people, we have operated in poverty for far too long. For the first time in history, Canada has provided substantial funding increases for First Nations people, allowing us the space to find solutions that work for our communities. Trudeau has shown leadership and commitment in the face of COVID-19. We have to take a hard look at where this country is headed if we have a majority Conservative government. In order to increase certainty and reduce conflict we must look to acknowledging rights and title of Indigenous people. We are on the brink of repeating the 2005 Paul Martin era. I encourage all Indigenous people to vote liberal across Canada.”