Frankly Speaking

Frank Bucholtz photo Joanne Charles, councillor with Semiahmoo First Nation, shared some powerful words about reconciliation with an attentive audience at the Semiahmoo Spirit Stage on Monday night, as part of a  community discussion on reconciliation, diversity and equality/ The event was one of a series of community discussions hosted by organizers of the Gordie Hogg Liberal campaign in the federal riding of South Surrey-White Rock. With her on stage is emcee Deb Saih. The discovery of unmarked grave sites at four former residential school properties has changed the tenor of discussion about Canada’s relationships with indigenous people. Local governments have an important role to play in the process of meaningful reconciliation - as do all of us as citizens. Delta council has gone a fair ways down that path, largely due to a treaty with the Tsawwassen First Nation,  and White Rock’s relationship with the Semiahmoo First Nation is improving considerably, after some rough pat...

Photo from National Observer First Nations people in B.C. and across the country aren't too excited about the Canada 150 celebrations, as most of them do not have treaties. Many of them (but not all) feel planned developments such as Kinder Morgan's proposed twinning of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline will do significant damage to the lands they and their ancestors have called home for thousands of years. Despite years of favourable court rulings, governments have dragged their feet on treaties and other means of making First Nations people feel they are an integral and valued component of the Canadian mosaic. Canada turns 150 years old this week.   Celebrations of this milestone have been somewhat muted, when compared to the 100 th anniversary in 1967 which captured the attention and interest of nearly all Canadians and many people in other countries. It is worthwhile to remember what this country has achieved, look at where it is going and consider changes to ...