This weekend the Tsilhqot’in National Government is celebrating a historic milestone event.
They’re celebrating the ten year Anniversary of their Aboriginal Right Title case.
“It’s the only case of it’s kind in Canada, anywhere in the world,” Chief Joe Alphonse said, “It’s a case that brought hope to Indigenous people giving us a more meaningful role in Canadian Society especially around resource development and extraction giving us more say and potentially more opportunity for growth and economic development.”
Alphonse said it’s an exciting time, it’s the ten year mark but it seems like it was just yesterday.
“We’re continuing to work as a Nation with both Canada and British Columbia. It’s opportunity to celebrate and also inform our membership were we’re at with negotiations with Canada and BC.”
Alphonse noted that there will be government representatives both Federally and Provincially.
“We’ll have First Nations from throughout British Columbia and different Aboriginal Organizations. The Chilcotin case is the big case, it’s a game changer. I think in ten years we always dreamed of winning Aboriginal Title but never did I ever believe that it would cut this deep into the Canadian fabric. Canadian government, Provincial government, all of their policies stem from our case. It’s had a huge influence in policy development both Provincially and Federally so it’s definitely a case worth celebrating,” Alphonse said.
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