Politics

SRD welcomes first Indigenous Nation to the Board

At its April 14th meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board. welcomed the first Indigenous Nation to the board.   

The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN) was one of the five  First Nations that signed the Maa‑nulth First Nations Treaty in 2011 and the only one whose lands are within the SRD. ( The other Maa-nulth Nations are members of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.)

One of the directions mentioned in this treaty was that First Nations should interact and join should join their Regional Districts.

Map from tasii a path forward: An Orientation Guide to Support Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h First Nations – showing the far northwest corner of the SRD. (The two villages on the lower right are Zeballos and Tahsis.)

Joining the SRD Board

Kevin Jules is KCFN legislative vice chief and has attended SRD Board meetings as an associate member/observer since 2017. Wednesday was the first time he came as a Director.

SRD Chair Brad Unger started the meeting by acknowledging that the SRD building stands on the traditional territory of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation.

“The SRD looks forward to building stronger relations with all ten First Nations in our region. We are committed to being … with our neighbours, consider common interests, and being mindful when making decisions that may impact them. Today we have the privilege of welcoming the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN) as full members of the SRD Board,” he said.

Unger added that KCFN was the first indigenous nation to join the SRD Board and he hoped this leads the way for others.

“This is a long time coming and something we are very proud to be a part of,” Director Jules responded.

  Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations joins the five municipalities and four electoral areas already in the Strathcona Regional District, bringing the number of local governments to ten – map courtesy SRD

Exchange of gifts

Gifts were exchanged to mark the occasion.

The SRD presented KCFN a handcrafted oak lay made of wood from the ten administrative areas within the SRD.

KCFN gave the SRD a painting of sunset on their bay by local artist Priscilla Jack.

Illustration from tasii a path forward: An Orientation Guide to Support Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h First Nations

Appreciations

Several Directors expresed their appreciations.

“I’m looking forward to more First Nation joining our board. I think in the long run it is going to give us a greater balance of views as a society. It is just a great sign of where things are going,” said Mayor Martin Davis of Tahsis.

Campbell River Director Claire Moglove reiterated, “This is a really momentous occasion to have a First Nation at our board. I think it augurs well for the future and I am very much looking forward to seeing what we may achieve together.”

Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson added, ” I think it is fantastic and I want to commend the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations of generations of effort towards becoming your own governance, having treaty and joining us in this way. I can only imagine that it has been a massive undertaking and really honour the work that it has taken.”

On a personal note, Chair Unger remembers visiting Kyuoquot when he was on a school baord in the late1990s – and Jules was still in high school. Visiting the area again more recently, he is amazed at how much the band has accomplished.

Recording starts 1:20

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