Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada and B.C. celebrate 10-year title anniversary with renewal of agreement

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

This week marks 10 years since the historic Supreme Court of Canada judgment, known as the Tŝilhqot’in Decision, which resulted in the first declaration of Aboriginal title in Canadian history, recognizing the Tŝilhqot’in Nation as the owners of a portion of their traditional territory in the interior of British Columbia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the celebration on title lands to witness the recognition of Elders and other Tŝilhqot’in witnesses who courageously testified at trial during the title-and-rights case. Also attending the celebration were: Gary Anandasangaree, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Indigenous Services; Arif Virani, federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; George Heyman, B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; and many other dignitaries, Indigenous leaders and allies. 

As a commitment to continued progress, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia signed a five-year renewal of the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement (GNPA).

The GNPA was initially signed in August 2019 between Canada, B.C., and the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. The first-of-its-kind agreement commits the parties to bring “transformative change” to the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people and communities and to their relationship with government. Through the GNPA, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has taken significant strides in Nation building, continually working to improve all aspects of life for Tŝilhqot’in communities, including governance initiatives, such as the Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan (Women’s Council), Indigenous-led emergency management, new homes and renovations in all communities, world-class fisheries and ranger programs, community and family support programs, and steps to reclaim jurisdiction for Tŝilhqot’in children and families.

Along with new funding that is being provided by Canada and British Columbia to the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the GNPA confirms the parties’ commitment to advancing reconciliation and building a prosperous future founded on mutual respect, recognition of rights and true partnership. Together, we continue to forge a path towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all people living in Canada.