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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.