Coast Salish Traditional Territory/West Vancouver, BC — The First Nations Summit is pleased with the announcement contained in today’s Speech from the Throne to act on the 2001 review dealing with the offensive murals in the rotunda of the legislative buildings in Victoria.
“We have been seeking the removal of this offensive material from the provincial legislature for decades. We are pleased that this government has made a commitment to work with First Nations in acting on recommendations contained within the 2001 Speaker’s Advisory Panel report”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive and the First Nations Leadership Council.
“First Nations have always maintained the murals in the rotunda of the legislative buildings are demeaning and degrading and do nothing more than uphold negative stereotypes of First Nations as a conquered and subservient people. While we respect the artistic integrity of the murals, there is no place for them in the buildings that represent the positive contributions of all British Columbians in building this province”, added Chief John.