BC Ferries signs protocol agreement with Tsartlip First Nation on Vancouver Island
On Friday, BC Ferries signed a protocol agreement with the Tsartlip First Nation of Vancouver Island, clearing a way for reconciliation.
The agreement will establish a framework on areas of mutual interest as the corporation operates 11 terminals within the territory of the Tsartlip people.
The agreement was signed by Chief Don Tom and interim BC Ferries president and CEO Jill Sharland, after a ceremony led by elder Tom Sampson was held in the Tsartlip Health Office building.
"When you’re operating within our territories I think it requires a degree of acknowledgement, and to agree to work with the First Nations," said Tom.
"This is a relationship we’ve been striving for. We’re happy we’re able to sit here with BC Ferries and sign this protocol agreement today," he said.
BC Ferries operates within the territories of 80 First Nations in the province and signed its first protocol agreement with Snuneymuxw First Nation in July.
"We are open to any other agreements that any First Nations wants to work with us on," said Sharland.
"We want to work to together for the best of everybody and we’re very positive on the work we’ve done so far," she said.
Tom agrees this is a positive step forward between the Tsartlip Frist Nation and BC Ferries, following what he describes as a strained relationship.
He said he is looking to address BC Ferries' racist past when the organization prevented Indigenous passengers from being on the upper deck of vessels.
"We want to have discussions about this and we want to reconcile this," said Tom.
The agreement has a several shared goals and initial topics to be addressed:
- Impacts of ferry operations on W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip)’s aboriginal and treaty rights.
- Cultural recognition, employment and economic opportunities.
- The process for securing Tsartlip’s free, prior and informed consent for BC Ferries projects within W̱JOȽEȽP territory.
- Fostering a sustainable, long-term and respectful relationship.
"It’s important for BC Ferries, and really for all of Canada, to work on reconciliation opportunities for us to move in a positive way forward," said Sharland.
"Working together is this way, we can actually reconcile and move our organization and the country forward in a positive way," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.