Local First Nations back Vancouver plan to eliminate park board – BC [Video]

The three First Nations with territory in Vancouver say they back the mayor’s proposed elimination of the city’s park board, but also want deeper changes to the Vancouver Charter.

On Monday, the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Wauthuth nations, known collectively as the MST Nations, released a letter to the city and province Monday expressing their support.

The nations said they had directed the MST Technical Team to meet and work with the city and province on proposed changes to the Vancouver Charter that would be required to abolish the Vancouver Park Board.

But the nations say they also want a written commitment from the city and province to update the charter to make it consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The B.C. government passed legislation in 2019 that requires the province to bring provincial laws in line with the UN declaration.

“We are grateful to Musqueam …