On Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, Tsartlip attended the 9th Annual First Nations Leadership Gathering (FNLG) to work towards Tsartlip’s interests in collaboration with the Premier and his Ministers.
The FNLG is a multi-day gathering during which First Nations leaders and the colonial Government of British Columbia (BC) engage in dialogue and collaboration. The FNLG was first established in 2014 as a result of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) decision. In that case, the Court “granted the declaration of Indigenous title to more than 1,700 square kilometres (656 square miles) of land in British Columbia to the Tsilhqot’in Nation.” The decision marked the first time the Canadian government recognized the existence of Indigenous title to non-reserve lands and set a precedent for the recognition of Indigenous title throughout BC. BC and First Nations leaders established the FNLG to create a space to discuss the implications of this recognition of title. The Gathering continues to grow each year and welcomed leaders from a record-breaking 204 First Nations communities this year.
The switch to working collaboratively and from a place of recognition of Indigenous title has already resulted in a significant win: the 2024 Haida Recognition Amendment Act that recognized Haida Nation’s title throughout Haida Gwaii. This Act marks the first time the colonial government has recognized Indigenous title through agreement rather than denial or litigation and is an example of what is possible when the colonial government works collaboratively with Indigenous leaders – through the FNLG and otherwise – to bring the findings of the Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) decision to life.
This year’s FNLG served as an opportunity to solidify key relationships between Tsartlip and colonial government representatives, including the Premier of British Columbia and his ministers. Those in attendance on behalf of Tsartlip included Chief Don Tom, Band Administrator Victor Rumbolt, Tsartlip Youth Representative Gabe Paul, and Tsartlip Negotiator Adam Olsen and councillor Simon Smith. Through a series of meetings with twelve different Ministers and their senior staff, Tsartlip’s representatives successfully articulated the needs of the community, established the relationships necessary for effective collaboration, advanced Tsartlip’s strategic priorities, and secured funding commitments.
One particularly important meeting was held between Chief Don Tom, Tsartlip staff, and Honourable Josie Osborne of the Ministry of Health. During this meeting, Tsartlip requested support for current health initiatives, including establishing access to primary care services, ongoing health programs, improving staff retention, and expanding the health centre. This discussion built upon Tsartlip’s independent work to bring greater health resources to the community, including the work of Emily Doehnel, Tsartlip’s Director of Community Services, who recently brought in a new nurse practitioner.
Tsartlip also had the opportunity to meet with Kevin Richter of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) to discuss the long-standing issues of speeding, lack of sidewalks and lighting, and excessive traffic volume on West Saanich Road, which runs directly in front of ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School. Because these issues impact youth from multiple communities, representatives from both Tsartlip and SȾÁUTW̱ attended the meeting. Attendees included all representatives from Tsartlip, SȾÁUTW̱ Chief Abe Pelkey, SȾÁUTW̱ Chief Operating Officer Micah Claxton, and Councillor John Wilson. Chief Tom views this meeting as a critical step forward on an issue that has persisted for far too long. In Chief Tom’s words, “West Saanich Road is a Ministry road and we expect MOTT to take meaningful action to make it safe for our children.”
In the spirit of relationship building, Tsartlip also had the opportunity to meet with the new Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Honourable Christine Boyle, and the Minister of Environment and Parks, Honourable Tamara Davidson. In the meeting with Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Tsartlip enjoyed connecting with the new Minister, whose office plays a central role in many Tsartlip initiatives, and providing a high-level overview of Tsartlip’s current priorities.
Photo of FNLG Tsartlip meeting with the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Pictured from left to right: Victor Rumbolt, Band Administrator; Simon Smith, Councillor; Chief Don Tom; Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Honorable Christine Boyle; Tsartlip Youth Representative, Gabe Paul; Tsartlip Negotiator, Adam Olsen
Similarly, at the meeting with Environment and Parks, Tsartlip had an opportunity to foster an ongoing relationship with the Minister, which is particularly important given there are village sites within two major parks in Tsartlip’s territory — SṈIDȻEȽ (Gowlland Tod Park) and S¸ELE₭TEȽ (Goldstream Park). The meeting was a success, as the Minister committed to working with Tsartlip to better understand the traditional use of SṈIDȻEȽ. Gaining this understanding will support Tsartlip’s negotiations at the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination Table.
Another critical meeting took place between Tsartlip and the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Child Care Division at the Ministry of Education and Child Care, Patricia Boyle. There, Tsartlip requested support for the new, 109-space childcare facility Tsartlip is designing to meet the increased need for culturally supportive childcare in the region. In response, the Province encouraged Tsartlip to reach out once the design of the new facility is complete to discuss options for capital funding. Tsartlip expects to complete the design by April 2025.
Other meetings Tsartlip representatives attended during the FNLG included meetings with the:
1) Ministry of Agriculture and Food where Tsartlip requested support for food sovereignty initiatives at MÁWUEĆ;
2) Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Solutions where Tsartlip requested support for community emergency management and climate resiliency initiatives;
3) Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions where Tsartlip requested support for energy efficiency solutions at Tsartlip’s new facilities;
4) Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs where Tsartlip requested funding to fully acquire The Meadows – a 103-unit townhome complex located within Tsartlip – and to develop new on-reserve housing to meet Tsartlip’s housing needs;
5) Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sports where Tsartlip requested support to develop Tsartlip’s heritage, language and cultural assets, such as a Big House Rebuild;
6) Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation where Tsartlip requested support obtaining funding to purchase a blackwater pump-out vessel, implement pump-out services in the W̱SÁNEĆ Inlet, and expand Tsartlip’s economic development in marine services;
7) Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship where Tsartlip requested assistance with creek restoration efforts at MÁWUEĆ.
On the 23rd, the day after FNLG concluded, Tsartlip’s representatives continued working on behalf of the community in a meeting with Allyson Rowe, the Regional Director General for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and ten of her senior staff members. During the meeting, Chief Don Tom expressed gratitude to ISC for their investment in the new school and outlined Tsartlip’s priorities regarding community development and infrastructure. The six priorities discussed included receiving funding for:
1) a community-wide Infrastructure Capacity Assessment;
2) extending key infrastructure to the Shaker Church Subdivision;
3) supporting infrastructure related to new facilities in the Village Core, such as the Youth and Family Wellness Centre and the Child Care Centre;
4) creating a master plan for MÁWUEĆ;
5) completing Phase 2 of the Tsarltip Drive Road and Drainage Improvements, a project that the Minister already agreed to complete; and
6) a feasibility study regarding the creation of new access roads in the MÁWUEĆ Subdivision.
During the meeting, Rowe made significant commitments to support Tsartlip. First, ISC committed to fund the Infrastructure Capacity Assessment, a $99,232 commitment. This will allow Tsartlip to ensure appropriate water and wastewater services are in place to meet the needs of the growing community and to carry out existing plans for development, including planned development on MÁWUEĆ. Second, ISC committed to funding a major infrastructure project to bring water and wastewater services to the seven homes in the Shaker Church Subdivision, which hasn’t had access to adequate services for decades. Finally, ISC stated its intention to create a road to provide better access to the Subdivision, a necessity in case of emergencies. This road will go from West Saanich Road, through the Shaker Church Subdivision, and then onward to Gowdy Road. Additional information on these projects is forthcoming.
All in all, Tsartlip’s presence at the FNLG was a success, resulting in the creation of new strategic relationships, strengthening of existing collaborations, and commitment of significant funds to support Tsartlip’s growing community.
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