Indigenous leaders in B.C. are hoping the pace of reconciliation continues following the provincial election, but there is concern that current politics could stall or reverse the province’s path of righting historical wrongs with its First Nations people.
The election pits the B.C. NDP and its seven-year record on reconciliation against the B.C. Conservative Party under John Rustad, a former minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliation, who has different ideas.
“Without question, the Indigenous, First Nations people in British Columbia would like to see continuity,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip with the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “We’ve made amazing progress over the last number of years.”
Phillip, whose wife is seeking re-election in Vancouver with the B.C. NDP, isn’t alone in worrying that the race is creating a wedge issue over reversing the wrongs of the province’s colonial past, which includes residential schools and unceded territory.
“We find it absolutely disturbing,” said Phillip of the nations’ fear that Rustad would …