Grand chief says B.C. declaration fund ‘special moment in history’ to build province

Advertisement

Advertise with us

VICTORIA - Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say a $200-million provincial government fund will help First Nations participate fully in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/04/2023 (878 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VICTORIA – Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say a $200-million provincial government fund will help First Nations participate fully in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Several Indigenous leaders heaped praise on the new government fund at a news conference at the legislature, saying the Declaration Act Engagement Fund assists First Nations to offset costs associated with the negotiations connected to implement declaration agreements.

Green Party critic Adam Olsen previously said in the legislature that First Nations leaders expressed concerns they are at a disadvantage in talks with the province due to a lack of funds and resources.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) speaks in Saskatoon, Sask., Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say a $200 million provincial government fund will help First Nations participate fully in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) speaks in Saskatoon, Sask., Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Indigenous leaders in British Columbia say a $200 million provincial government fund will help First Nations participate fully in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

Murray Rankin, Indigenous relations and reconciliation minister, said the flexible fund can support staffing, training, community-level meetings and other resources required in government-to-government work.

The B.C. government unanimously passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act into law in November 2019.

Cheryl Casimir, B.C. First Nations leadership council spokeswoman, said the fund is a step in the right direction and provides First Nations with the opportunity to begin work towards implementing the Declaration Act.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said the fund creates an unprecedented opportunity to work on the challenges of reconciliation in B.C.

“We owe it to our grandchildren to get it right this time,” he told the news conference. “This is a special moment in history. I’m very, very grateful to everybody here to witness this special moment in this time.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2023.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Canada

LOAD MORE