The Tribal Chair of the Tsilqhot’in National Government was in London England recently to speak at the British Academy regarding climate change.
Chief Joe Alphonse said the audience were all professors from around the world that feel with global warming academics has a role to play in trying to come up with programs to help deal with those issues.
“They want to look at it from an academic point of view however they also realize the importance of incorporating Indigenous views as well. 2017 fires and our experience there and the fire report we wrote afterwards they saw so they wanted someone from our delegation to speak to those experiences and help create new programs for future students.”
Alphonse said the reception of the TNG’s messaging was well received and that the group wished to continue to have open communications in the future.
The next trip those professors will be making is to Canada and Alphonse noted that he invited them to host their meeting in the Tsilqhot’in Territory.
“So that will be an experience and a cultural experience as well for them.”
While in London, Alphonse also met with Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada.
In a TNG Facebook post Alphonse said “It’s always intriguing to attend the Canada House in Trafalgar Square. It reminds you of the deep relationship between England and Canada. One reason we’re here is to talk about that the Tsilqhot’in Nation as one of the only Nations that have pushed back against the Crown by winning Aboriginal Title. We want recognition of that by meeting with Charles or William. We were here to seek his advice on how to meet with the Crown.”