Lhtako Dene Park Territory Sign Vandalized

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The City of Quesnel is appealing for information after the new Lhtako Dene Park Territory sign was vandalized with graffiti. The vandalism took place between Sunday, July 16 and Monday, July 17.

The City has filed a police report and Public Works is in the process of removing the graffiti. 

Anyone who witnessed the vandalism or who has video of it taking place is urged to contact the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211.

Ron Paull, Mayor of Quesnel, stated:

"This unacceptable act of destructive vandalism further strengthens our resolve as we continue along our path towards meaningful and lasting reconciliation"

Smokehouse structurally unsound

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The City of Quesnel, in discussion with Lhtako Dene Nation, will be removing the smokehouse located next to the Riverfront Trail, north of the Fraser River Walking Bridge on May 16, 2022.

After a thorough inspection from the City’s Chief Building Inspector, the smokehouse was determined unfit for use due to structural safety issues. Weather, age and multiple interior fires are the main cause of the disrepair. 

There are no plans to replace the smokehouse. The City is working with Lhtako Dene Nation on multiple projects that will bring their culture back to their traditional lands. Projects include developing interpretive signage and sculptures along the Fraser River waterfront, seeking funding for the Indigenous Cultural Centre and developing a Residential School Commemoration in the plaza located at St Laurent Ave and Vaughan St, beside City Hall

Lhtako Dené Nation, Province sign cannabis agreement

Courtesy of the Province of BC:

Lhtako Dené Nation and the Province of B.C. have reached an agreement supporting Lhtako’s participation in the cannabis economy, including opening a cannabis retail store this spring.

“This agreement demonstrates the Province’s commitment to supporting Indigenous participation in B.C.’s regulated cannabis market,” said the Hon. Mike Farnworth, BC's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “It respects and advances Lhtako’s vision for participation in the cannabis industry and furthers the diversity and strength of B.C.’s cannabis sector.”

Section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act authorizes the Province to enter into agreements with Indigenous Nations, providing a mechanism for meaningful government-to-government dialogue and supporting collaboration that enables both governments to achieve individual and shared goals.

This government-to-government agreement enables variation from the provincial cannabis framework for Lhtako’s cannabis ventures and includes the option for Lhtako to operate in both production and retail sales. It provides flexibility for Lhtako to pursue their vision for participation in B.C.’s cannabis industry while aligning with the provincial regulatory regime.

“The Section 119 agreement gives us the freedom and flexibility to enter the cannabis economy on a level playing field with the rest of the province and gives us the opportunity to be competitive and successful. It completely shows that government-to-government agreements can be successful and real benefits can be achieved for both parties,” said Chief Clifford Lebrun, Lhtako Dené Nation. “It is our vision to open later this spring with a full staff, providing six to eight jobs for community members and non-community members alike and serving the general public in the Quesnel area. This agreement also supports a very important revenue stream for the Nation. Although not a huge revenue stream, it provides a steady flow that adds to others that will lead to complete self-sufficiency and the freedom to plan our own journey forward.”

Agreements made pursuant to Section 119 reflect the Province’s commitment to advancing reconciliation by supporting new economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities.

To further grow a strong and diverse cannabis industry in B.C., in January 2022, the Province launched the B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Product program. Programs for direct delivery and farm-gate sales are in development and will launch later this year.

Learn More:

To see the text of the Lhtako-B.C. Section 119 agreement, visit: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0216_2022

For information on cannabis regulation in B.C., visit: https://www.cannabis.gov.bc.ca  

For information on the B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Product program, visit: https://www.bcldbcannabisupdates.com/BCICP

FN Well Being Fund supports 5 Cariboo-Chilcotin First Nations

Editor's Note -- my Electoral Area is within the traditional territories of both the ?Esdilagh First Nation & Williams Lake First Nation as well as the Xat'sull First Nation

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Eight First Nation communities in the Cariboo will be supported so they can complete well-being and poverty-reduction plans and projects in their communities, thanks to a grant from the First Nations Well Being Fund.

More than $2 million in grants has been provided to 62 First Nation communities throughout the province.

“All orders of government are finding ways of reducing poverty,” said the Hon. Nicholas Simons, BC's Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “I’m excited that through this funding, First Nations communities are able to develop projects that will improve individual well-being and benefit communities.”

The First Nations Well Being Fund is administered by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, in partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council. It supports First Nations and Tribal Councils in their efforts to promote well-being, improve quality of life for community members on and off reserve, and reduce poverty at the community or Nation level.

“Numerous studies have shown that Indigenous peoples experience the highest levels of poverty, with a shocking 25% of Indigenous people in Canada living in poverty,” said Cheryl Casimer, political executive, First Nations Summit. “This poverty reduction initiative was created to assist B.C. First Nations to increase well-being within their communities and membership. This welcome program is a modest step toward addressing the disproportionally high rates of poverty for First Nations’ citizens in B.C. The program was very oversubscribed, which clearly shows there is a high demand for much-needed funding for these types of important community projects. We hope that the success of this initiative will lead to greater poverty reduction funding opportunities for our communities in the future.”

The B.C. government provided funding as part of TogetherBC, the Province’s poverty-reduction strategy.

Cariboo projects include:

• ?Esdilagh First Nation – $35,000 to provide its members with training in stream keeping and monitoring fish waterways.
• Lhtako Dené Nation – $35,000 to deliver a cultural camp for its members focusing on food security for the community.
• Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation – $25,000, including technical support, to deliver planning sessions to further develop a community wellness plan.
• Tŝideldel First Nation – $24,635 to deliver leadership workshops that will help develop and build a community wellness plan.
• Williams Lake First Nation – $35,000 to develop a culture and knowledge exchange between elders and youth, and to build garden beds, a root cellar and a greenhouse for the community.

“As we continue the work to build and maintain strong relationships based on recognition and implementation of the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples, it’s good to know that many of the plans and projects being funded through the First Nations Well Being Fund are designed to preserve and respect Indigenous cultures and promote community well-being,” said the Hon. Murray Rankin, BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

Applications to the first intake of the fund closed May 30, 2021. All B.C. First Nations were eligible to apply to the fund, which was created with a $2.7-million grant from the Province.

Quick Facts:

• The Province has legislated targets to reduce the child poverty rate by 50% and the overall poverty rate by 25% by 2024.
• B.C. was the first province in Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into legislation, which was developed in collaboration and consultation with Indigenous partners.
• The First Nations Well Being Fund has two funding streams: community projects and planning. The community projects stream provides up to $35,000 for a single First Nation, $70,000 for two First Nations and $105,000 for regional applications of three or more partnering First Nations.
• The planning stream provides $25,000 for one First Nation, $50,000 for two First Nations or $80,000 for a regional application involving three or more partnering First Nations.

Learn More:

First Nations Well Being Fund: https://fnps.ca/community-projects/wellbeingfund 

First Nations Public Service Secretariat: https://fnps.ca/

TogetherBC B.C.’s Poverty Reduction Strategy: http://gov.bc.ca/togetherbc

A backgrounder on this item can be viewed here

Collaborative Design to Begin on a Permanent Commemoration for the Victims of Residential Schools

Joint Release from the City of Quesnel:

Quesnel City Council has unanimously dedicated the amphitheater park on St. Laurent Avenue adjacent to City Hall as a healing and gathering place and permanent commemoration for the victims of residential schools. The park will be redesigned in collaboration with the leadership, elders, and community members of the Lhtako Dene, Nazko, ?Esdilagh, and Lhoosk'uz Dene First Nations.

It is hoped that design will be completed early in 2022 and funding can be obtained to convert the park to a commemorative place by the 2022 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson:

"Quesnel City Council is committed to undertaking reconciliation initiatives with all of the First Nations that have traditional territory and historical ties to Quesnel, this particular project has very special meaning to Council as we try to do our part to educate the public about the negative impacts of residential schools and create a permanent learning, healing and gathering space for all our community members." 

?Esdilagh First Nation Chief Troy Baptiste:

"?Esdilagh First Nation is in support of more indigenous architectural symbolism being brought to the city of Quesnel. A gathering and healing spot is a good start however, more needs to be done to represent the bands whose traditional territory encompasses Quesnel. ?Esdilagh looks forward to the future projects that will be established, not only in the name of reconciliation but also to bring awareness to the public about the culture and traditions of the carrier and Tsilhqot’in people who call Quesnel their home.”

Lhoosk’uz Dene Chief Liliane Squinas:

"Some of our Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation members were the last students that attended the residential school prior to its closing (St Joseph’s Mission). These students had complained about the trauma experienced, yet nobody believed their story.  With this commemoration project, it’s a step towards acknowledgment that colonialism & forced removal of children done its damage. We should continue to work together on our path to healing.”

Nazko FN Chief Leah Stump:

"“Dahooja. I am beyond excited for the new memorial, we need to honour and uphold our survivors of the residential schools and those who didn’t make it home. We need to educate and have this information available so that everyone has a better understanding of what really happened. I am pleased to be moving towards reconciliation with the city of Quesnel  but most of all I am grateful to see a better path being paved for our future generations to come because that is who we are building and battling for"

Lhtako Dene FN Chief/Council:

"“The Lhtako Dene Nation is very pleased to see the dedication of the Amphitheater Park on St Laurent as a healing and gathering place and permanent commemoration for the victims of residential schools. This is an outstanding way to recognize the hurts that were realized by our people and to help in the achievement of the truth and reconciliation that is so needed by Indigenous peoples.”

 

Canada/BC announce Infrastructure Grants in Northern BC

Courtesy of the Governments of BC/Canada:

Editor's Note -- Congratulations to Lhtako Dene Nation for receiving just under $1 million to construct a 1.2km pathway to connect the community's main amenities including public transit, local community hall/playground.  No other Indigenous community or local government in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region received funding from the Provincial/Federal COVID-19 Resilience Fund

The governments of Canada and British Columbia continue to invest in infrastructure during this unprecedented time to meet the needs of communities across the province, enhance quality of life, and help recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Today, Ken Hardie, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood—Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced funding for nine local infrastructure projects in Northern B.C. They were accompanied by the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Member of Legislative Assembly for Stikine, Chief Annie Howard of the Gitsegukla Band, and Chief Councillor Calvin Morven of Gitlaxt'aamiks Village.

Among the projects announced today, the Gitsegukla First Nation will retrofit its community hall kitchen to help deliver food programs to the elementary school’s students and staff, facilitate the teaching of traditional cooking methods, and supply backup power during outages to keep freezers running and food safe. Once completed, the project will increase food security in the area and help preserve cultural practices.

The Nisga’a Village of Gitlaxt'aamiks will build approximately 475 meters of concrete sidewalk along Skateen Drive, the main road in the village. The sidewalk will provide safe passage for pedestrians walking between the Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government building and the local school.

The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are investing over $5.7 million in the nine projects announced today through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s new COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream. Canada is contributing over $5.1 million, and B.C. is contributing over $615,000.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities said:

"“Today’s announcement of $5.1 million from the federal government to upgrade key local infrastructure in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Northern B.C. will help support local economies at a time when it is needed most. These projects will upgrade important community infrastructure, such as administration buildings, arenas and a community kitchen, as well as improve active transportation options.”

While the Hon. Josie Osborne, BC's Minister of Municipal Affairs said:

"By investing in welcoming, healthy and connected communities, we are working to make people’s lives better as we emerge from the pandemic. These infrastructure projects we’re launching with our local and federal partners will bring a multitude of benefits to communities and people in Northern B.C., creating jobs, improving community services and helping everyone move through restart toward a strong recovery from the pandemic.”

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Across B.C., the Government of Canada has invested more than $4.4 billion in over 580 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
• The Province is investing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for British Columbia’s infrastructure initiatives.
• To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories. 
• Under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is up to 80%, with the Province adding 20% to achieve 100% funding. The federal government is providing up to 100% funding in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.

Backgrounder: Canada and British Columbia investments in local infrastructure help build community connections in Northern B.C.: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/8-3_infrastructure.pdf