(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – Over three days this week (Sept. 14th – 16, 2021) the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) online via Zoom conducting important and pressing business and prepared for upcoming important events, including the federal election to be held on Monday September 20, 2021. Indigenous federal candidates running in B.C. presented on the first day and included: Joan Phillip, Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, NDP; Michelle Corfield, Nanaimo-Ladysmith, LPC; Adeana Young, Skeena-Bulkey Valley, GP; Cheryl Matthew, Vancouver East, GP; and Kelsey Shein, Burnaby North-Seymour, CPC.
Minister Murray Rankin, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, addressed the assembly of Wednesday and took questions and listened to comments on urgent issues. He also gave an update on the Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples Act and the development of the Action Plan for implementing Bill 41 which will hold the government into account over the next 5 years.
Federal party leader’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples came under sharp scrutiny as each turned down invitations to address the 204 Chiefs in British Columbia regarding their election platforms. NDP party leader Jagmeet Singh quickly responded to the criticism by apologizing for the oversight and belatedly accepted the BCAFN invitation. Mr. Singh spoke to the assembly on the final day of the event. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided a recording which was posted to the BCAFN events website after the closing of the AGM.
“Chiefs and leadership were provided updates on the many priority areas including children and families, fisheries and aquaculture, gaming and revenue sharing, education, COVID-19 pandemic, emergency management – wildfires, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act implementation, climate change strategy and action plan, energy and mining, anti-racism, Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+, residential schools, cannabis and more,” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “This past year has been challenging with the COVID-19 pandemic and the mounting effects of climate change, especially a very active wildfire season, but we continue to make progress in important areas.”
12 resolutions were passed during the AGM which provides future business and direction for the BCAFN team.
On Thursday September 16th BCAFN also held an election for a women’s representative. BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee, the Board of Directors, Representatives, and staff congratulate Louisa Housty-Jones who has been re-elected to this position, and she is welcomed as she continues her role as part of the BCAFN team. Louisa Housty Jones will be continuing to build on the important work in this critically important priority area.
As the number of candidates for the Board of Directors did not exceed the number of available positions, the board candidates are acclaimed. The Board of Directors acclaimed candidates are Chief Lynda Price of the Ulkatcho First Nation and Chief Harvey Mcleod of the Upper Nicola Band.