Friday December 13, 2024 | SIDNEY, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Adam Olsen is well known as a high-profile BC Green MLA. That phase of his career is now behind him, including having served as co-chair of the BC Green provincial election campaign team this fall.
Olsen (SȾHENEP) has called the W̱JOȽEȽP’ (Tsartlip) First Nation home for his entire life.
Back in June Olsen had announced he would not seek re-election as an MLA.
Olsen will lead negotiations policy on behalf of W̱JOȽEȽP’ at tables with various organizations and groups, including the federal, provincial, regional and local governments, BC Ferries and other entities. He will elevate the community’s voice, advocating for the interests of the community and prioritizing the protection of W̱JOȽEȽP’ and W̱SÁNEĆ traditional territory.
“I am honoured to be in this role and to work on behalf of this beautiful community to advance our interests and rights as W̱JOȽEȽP’ and W̱SÁNEĆ people,” said Adam Olsen, W̱JOȽEȽP’ (Tsartlip) First Nation lead negotiator and former MLA, in a news release on December 11.
“It’s important that we take the initiative, as other communities have, to ensure that we take care of our people and W̱JOȽEȽP’ and W̱SÁNEĆ traditional territory,” said Olsen. “I look forward to having conversations with my relatives here about what we hope and dream to achieve.”
Background:
As the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands from 2017-2024, Olsen was committed to making every effort to visit and listen to all his constituents, no matter how far away.
His participation in ASK Salt Spring is an example of this drive and determination, as he visited the island once a month to listen to community members. Rather than focus on his achievements as an MLA at these meetings,
Olsen instead would speak to how change was made, namely by consistently creating a space for meaningful conversations and community engagement. In 2021, he championed the Southern Gulf Islands Forum, bringing together federal, provincial, local, regional and First Nations leadership to discuss the economic, cultural, environmental and social well-being of Gulf Island communities.
With almost two decades of experience in elected public office under his belt, including twice as the interim leader of the BC Green Party from 2013-2015 and again in 2020, Olsen has sat at negotiating tables, representing both W̱JOȽEȽP’ and the wider W̱SÁNEĆ community. The experience he has gained and the relationships he has built will be of benefit to his new role as the community’s lead negotiator and the W̱JOȽEȽP’ and W̱SÁNEĆ community.
Seeking to advance Tsartlip First Nation:
W̱JOȽEȽP’ (Tsartlip) First Nation is located on the west side of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island and is one of five communities that constitute the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation. The W̱SÁNEĆ people have lived on these lands since time immemorial. For more information, visit tsartlip.com.
Olsen’s goal is to see W̱JOȽEȽP’ advance as other Nations have on the island, BC and beyond.
Olsen says that since colonization, provincial and federal policies focused on lands, resources, governance and rights have not been created to serve or benefit First Nations communities.
“These policies have often created a divide, fragmenting communities and leading to a systemic structure that continues to negatively impact First Nations,” says Olsen in this week’s news release.
“These governance structures have fractured our communities and do not serve our people, our relatives or our territory,” said Olsen.
“For me, in this role, success is finding ways to create systems that benefit our community’s needs and interests. We must raise our voices to make change so that we may fulfill our inherent rights as Indigenous people in this province.”
===== RELATED:
- Rob Botterell set to fill Olsen’s shoes in Saanich North & the Islands (August 11, 2024)
- BC Green powerhouse Adam Olsen shifts to building the party (June 25, 2024)
- BC Green Adam Olsen on the plight of renters (April 10, 2024)
- NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS | BC GREENS | BC 2024 PROVINCIAL ELECTION