Over the first year of Tla’amin Nation being self-governing, its relations with the other two government bodies in the region, City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District, have not changed drastically from what they were before, according to Tla’amin hegus Clint Williams.
“We were already progressive with our relationship with the city and regional district; we’ve worked on improving the relationship,” said Williams. “There isn’t that much change because we worked on this years in advance and all of that preparation work on relation-building and just being good neighbours has paid off for where we’re sitting today.”
The connection between Tla’amin and the regional district has the most overlap in governance because the district includes electoral areas that occupy traditional Tla’amin lands.
According to regional district chair Patrick Brabazon, the relationship between the two governments has been excellent and respectful, prior to and during the last year.
However, by choice, Tla’amin does not officially sit at the regional district table yet and Williams said he is not in a rush to join.
“We’ve just come out of a very paternalistic document: the Indian Act,” said Williams. “We’re celebrating one year returning to self-government and to go stepping back into a paternal relationship with the regional district isn’t where we want to be at this moment, unless there is some attractive reason to be there, then maybe we’ll entertain it. For the time being, we’re enjoying our independence.”
Brabazon said he wants Tla’amin to join the district board but, at the same time, he said he recognizes that patience is in order.
“They have their new government and I’m sure they are up to their ears in making it work,” said Brabazon. “At the same time, I have so much I would like to do with them that will simply have to wait upon their own ability and capacity to do it.”
According to Williams, a number of projects will involve discussions between the three governments and open lines of communication are important to accomplish them.
Williams also said wastewater treatment, and reducing environmental effects from four existing outfalls into the ocean, will be a cooperative project between Tla’amin and the city.
Williams said the goodwill between neighbours and lines of communication between the three governments will pay off for the region.
“Will we agree 100 per cent all of the time? Not likely,” Williams said.
However, according to Williams, Powell River area has better relations than any of the other communities neighbouring Tla’amin to the north, east, west or south.
“This community is miles ahead in many regards and communications are open in respect for the culture,” said Williams. “We’re on a really good path with that.”
City of Powell River mayor Dave Formosa said, from the city’s point of view, the relationship with Tla’amin has not changed from prior to self-government and the new nation being in control of their own destiny, culture and assets.
“I’m sure there will be our differences, but who doesn’t have that?” said Formosa. “We’re always able to sit down and talk about what the issues are and work them out as they arise, but I’m not seeing too many speed bumps ahead.
