Friday June 18, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Jalen C Codrington | Island Social Trends | Editor: Mary P Brooke
The Government of British Columbia has signed an agreement with the Heiltsuk Nation aimed at promoting economic development and addressing the priorities of the community.
The Heiltsuk Nation is comprised of around 2,500 members and is centered on Campbell Island, within the community of Bella Bella (on the west coast of mainland BC, northeast of Vancouver Island). Heiltsuk Nation Territory includes 35,553 square kilometres of land and sea.
The agreement, ‘mṇúxvs Nuáqi – to be of one mind – was signed Friday June 18, by members of the nation, and on behalf of the BC Government by Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin (who is MLA for the Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding within Greater Victoria).
The deal includes $23.3 million in provincial funding to the Heiltsuk Nation to advance priorities of self-government, economic development, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and housing. Some plans for the funding include investing in a language centre and language programs, tourism opportunities, a business plan for a lumber mill, and a long-term care facility for Heiltsuk Elders.
The BC Government release issued today included a statement: “Heiltsuk Nation has strong internal governance, with an integrated elected and hereditary system, for which implementing rights and title is an important step towards self-determination. Negotiating incremental implementation of rights and title, instead of relying on the courts, helps avoid ongoing uncertainty and significant costs and is a key interest for both the Province and Heiltsuk.”
“No amount of financial contribution can ever right the wrongs of the past, but I’m hopeful that this commitment will help Heiltsuk in achieving your goal of closing the socioeconomic gaps created by settler-colonialism,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for the North Coast riding. Rice called the “leadership place of women” in the Heiltsuk Nation “inspiring and uplifting”.
The announcement comes in the wake of the discovery of an unmarked burial site containing the remains of 215 indigenous children at a former Kamloops residential school.
“This ceremony is timely and necessary in context of the continued discovery of the unmarked graves of indigenous children who died in Indian residential institutes,” said Elder Paulene Waterfall.
Rankin says he believes similar agreements will be made in the future. “I honestly think we’ve done something for the history books here today,” said Rankin.
===== LINKS (provided by BC Government):
‘mṇúxvs Nuáqi – One Mind, One Thought Agreement:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations/first-nations-a-z-listing/heiltsuk-bella-bella-nation
2019 Tuigila agreement:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/heiltsuk_tuigila_agreement_signed.pdf
2017 Haíłcístut: Framework Agreement:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/haicistut_framework_agreement_for_reconciliation_amendment_final_signed.pdf