Reaffirmation of a shared commitment to long-term reconciliation by the shíshálh Nation and the province, through the first five-year renewal of the 2018 Foundation Agreement, was announced in Sechelt on Jan 29.
lhe hiwus yalxwemult (Chief Lenora Joe) welcomed two provincial cabinet ministers to the nation’s Our House of Clans facility for the renewal announcement that will see six square kilometres of Crown lands within the swiya transferred to the Nation for cultural and economic use. In addition, the province committed to ongoing funding of more than $79 million over the term of the renewed agreement to support shíshálh Nation’s work. That includes $47.58 million over five years for economic development, $15 million to support the construction of a cultural centre and $8.83 million over five years for agreement implementation and further negotiations. Other financial commitments made were for $2.77 million over five years for environmental and cultural restoration work, $1.85 million to implement and further develop water infrastructure initiatives on shíshálh landsn which could include water meters for residences on Nation lands and $1.6 million over five years for culture and language revitalization. Up to $710,000 over four years is to be provided for a collaborative monitoring and enforcement program in the shíshálh swiya, $500,000 to carry out environmental and ecological studies and $200,000 for infrastructure to support cultural initiatives.
Economic development stressed
yalxwemult said the foundation agreement has resulted in a lot of positive change for the nation and to make the swiya an "amazing place to live for not just our people but for everybody."
On the subject of economic development lhe hiwus noted at the press conference that the nation was now the largest forest tenure holder in the swiya and is building a "viable forest economy that preserves and recognizes the importance of our ecology, culture and values. Forestry will look different in the future and will remain the mainstay of the economy of the Coast with the group effort of the province and the shíshálh people to ensure that is protected."
"We must address the challenges of this era together and plan for future generations using new and innovative approaches. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, we are working to restore our swiya to its natural state and protect it for future generations. Only by working together can we enable a better future for everyone who makes the swiya home," she stated in a press release issued by the Nation and the province on Jan. 29.
Dock management plan a focus in the renewal
In her first major announcement made as a cabinet minister in her home riding of Powell River – Sunshine Coast, Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship stated, "This shared commitment between B.C. and shíshálh Nation will benefit our entire region economically, culturally and environmentally, while also reaffirming our work together on the Dock Management Plan, which was developed through a robust community engagement process.”
Speaking with Coast Reporter following the formal announcement, Neill committed to work towards greater communication with the community to improve the level of knowledge and understanding of the parameters of the dock management plan.
The release detailed that by building off the meaningful engagement between shíshálh Nation and other residents of the Sunshine Coast, the agreement renewal reaffirms changes announced in August of last year to the swiya-wide Dock Management Plan. “The agreement also reinforces B.C. and shíshálh Nation's shared commitment to completing joint work in the foreshore and helping to provide predictability and transparency for dock owners,” it noted.
Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, who was also in Sechelt for the announcement and stated in the release, "As work to implement each component of the Foundation Agreement renewal begins, the Province and shíshálh Nation continue to be committed to engagement with local governments, interest holders and Sunshine Coast residents so that everyone is informed about the work between the Province and shíshálh Nation.”
While there were no representatives of other Coast local governments in attendance at the press conference, Alton Toth chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, which shares governing responsibilities for lands on B.C.’s lower Sunshine Coast with the Nation, stated in the release his jurisdiction is, "honoured to work with the shíshálh Nation on numerous projects and services on an ongoing basis. We look forward to strengthening these partnerships and exploring new opportunities as we continue our shared journey toward meaningful reconciliation."
