Canada supports the nation rebuilding efforts of Indigenous groups in British Columbia to advance self-determination and reconciliation 

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

News release

November 12, 2020 — Vancouver, BC — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada is rebuilding the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationship with Indigenous peoples through supporting the realization of their visions of self-determination. A key part of this work is through the Nation Rebuilding Program.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that Canada has provided $2.6 million this fiscal year to 10 Indigenous groups in British Columbia through the Nation Rebuilding Program. Minister Bennett met virtually with The Gitanyow Huwilp Society Hereditary Chiefs to learn more about the work being undertaken in their nation and their unique priorities and needs. The Nation Rebuilding Program has helped in their efforts of restoring and reviving their traditional hereditary system, improving information sharing, supporting and facilitating understanding, and finding common approaches in areas such as forestry, land stewardship and environmental monitoring.

In Budget 2018, the Government invested $100 million over five years to support Indigenous groups efforts towards developing their own path to reconstituting their nations. The program is an important step forward in supporting Indigenous groups in rebuilding their governance structures on the path towards self-determination.
   
The Government of Canada will continue to work with Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia on advancing reconciliation and working in partnership with communities on their visions of self-determination. 

Quotes

"The Nation Rebuilding program has provided critical resources to help Gitanyow strengthen our information sharing with our neighbours the Simgiget'm Gitwangak Society around land use planning and forestry. In our current project, we are able to formalize our Indigenous laws through review of our Constitution, and continue talks between our elected leadership and the Hereditary Chiefs to better formalize roles and responsibilities. Our approach is to develop modern tools to support and strengthen our traditional governance."

Glen Williams/Malii
President and Chief Negotiator for the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office 

"Strong and self-reliant Indigenous nations that are able to fulfil their vision of self-determination will lead to healthy and sustainable Indigenous communities with improved well-being and economic prosperity. Supporting Indigenous communities as they choose their path to rebuild their nations is critical to reconciliation and renewing our relationship. Today's announcement supports communities throughout British Columbia to fulfill their visions of self-determination, including Gitenyow Huwilp Society."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations 

Quick facts

  • The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996) recommended that Indigenous groups should begin to reconstitute themselves as nations. 

  • Supporting Indigenous groups rebuilding their nations is also an objective outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

  • Under the Nation Rebuilding Program, $100 million in funding has been made available for five years, starting in 2018-19, to support Indigenous groups of the same nation in coming together to build capacity at the nation level. 

  • The 10 Indigenous groups in British Columbia who will receive Nation Rebuilding funding for 2020-21 are: The Beaver People, Gitanyow Huwilp Society, Gitxsan Treaty Society, Lake Babine Nation, Secretariat of the Haida Nation, Tiyt Tribe, Southern Dakelh Nation Alliance Society, Stellat'en and Nadleh Whut'en First Nations, Office of the Wet'suwet'en, and WSANEC Leadership Council Society. 

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Emily Williams
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett,
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca

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