Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver) — Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit political executive presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources yesterday to provide a First Nations perspective on the committee’s current study of the potential importance of market diversification to Canada’s energy future and economic growth.
Chief John raised issues of critical importance to First Nations in BC and indicated that the issues being studied by the committee “are important because they involve direct impacts on: our First Nations communities and peoples’ social, cultural and economic well-being and dignity; the environment, lands and resources we rely on which continues to support our way of life and livelihoods; and the aboriginal and treaty rights, including aboriginal title, we have inherited from our ancestors and which are recognized and affirmed in the Constitutions of Canada.”
Chief John also reinforced that “resolution and reconciliation … cannot be the extinguishment of, in any form or result, the aboriginal rights and aboriginal title of First Nations. The “certainty” necessary for First Nations must be one based on true and full recognition and implementation of aboriginal rights and title. This will provide a solid basis for First Nations to share and co-exist with all others and to provide for our economic, social and cultural well-being.”
Full text of Chief John’s speaking notes as well as the written brief tabled with the committee is attached.