Issues Affecting First Nations of BC

The relationship between the British Columbian government and the First Nations People has significantly improved.   In 2005, leaders of the First Nations Leadership Council moved forward in a New Relationship regarding the rights and respect of aboriginal people.   After the Governor General gave the Throne Speech of 2009 (like the American State of the Union speech), British Columbia pledged to create a Recognition and Reconciliation Act, which would further enhance the New Relationship.  This act will include legislation such as enhancing the partnership between everybody, clarifying land claims, granting laws and rights for First Nations, and more.  This act will make sure that the Crown Title and the Aboriginal Title co-exist peacefully, without one dominating the other over their own.

British Columbia contains over 50 different groups and bands of First Nations.  This adds to the diverse beauty that tourists fall in awe over when visiting the BC.  We as a class had the honor to witness some of the artwork of the First Nations at the Museum of Civilization in Quebec.  Walking into a grand hall shaped like a canoe and filled with totem poles hand crafted by First Nations artisans is a scene full of unimaginable exquisiteness.  They even have the cast of The Spirit of the Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe by Bill Reid, of which the two originals reside at the Vancouver Airport and the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C.  The appreciation and respect for First Nations culture has increased such that hundreds of First Nations artistic creations and painting will be some of the décor of the 2010 Winter Olympics Hosted by British Columbia.

However, all is not well in BC paradise for the First Nations.  Although both the national and provincial governments are working for more rights and respect towards the minority, history cannot be destroyed.  While the government is trying to cover it up with money and apologies, the damage is done from residential schools and superior power.  Now, First Nations in BC are facing issues such as loss of culture, poor education, insubstantial habitats, and title issues.  Like anyone, they just want the best for their children.  They want them to be raised in a providing house on a safe reserve where they can have a cultural identity and not live in the shadows.  First Nations teens have the highest suicide rate out of any other ethnic group.  It is important for them that they are able to live a life like the majority.  It is important for them to have rights and titles and treaties.  They are facing a major hardship with the BC provincial government not recognizing certain people and bands as First Nations, therefore depriving them of the treaties and privileges.  They are working hard with the government to try and change this.  Treaties are also a big issue that hopefully the New Relationship is going to aid.  But we must not discriminate any group, but celebrate with them in their culture.  I see the inclusion of First Nations décor in the Winter Olympics as a way of BC acknowledging them as an exclusive part of their culture, and not exclusion.

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