For Musqueam Indian Band Coun. Wendy Grant-John, talk of reconciliation by the new British Columbia government brings to mind the memory of her relatives being expelled from their traditional territory to make way for what is now Stanley Park in Vancouver.

香蕉视频直播淢y great-grandmother, along with the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh (nations), had houses there, had houses that were moved off to ensure that the newcomers had a park that they could relish in for the rest of their lives, to the detriment of our people,香蕉视频直播� Grant-John said Wednesday, gesturing from the convention centre on Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 waterfront towards the park.

香蕉视频直播淭hose struggles are the ones that we continue today.香蕉视频直播�

As members of the province香蕉视频直播檚 cabinet and First Nations communities meet ahead of the new legislative session this Friday, many Aboriginal leaders say the new government香蕉视频直播檚 commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples feels different than the 香蕉视频直播渉ollow words香蕉视频直播� that have preceded past disappointments.

Ed John, grand chief of the First Nations Summit, said he is encouraged by Premier John Horgan香蕉视频直播檚 pledge to govern based on the principles set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and to incorporate the Truth and Reconciliation Commission香蕉视频直播檚 94 calls to action.

香蕉视频直播淭he province has been in dark places for far too long,香蕉视频直播� John said, addressing the fourth-annual leaders gathering. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e waited a long time for the stars to align federally and provincially. And we are there.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淏ut, we香蕉视频直播檝e been at moments like this in the past only to be denied,香蕉视频直播� he said, before adding that this time feels different.

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The province香蕉视频直播檚 willingness to acknowledge the underlying legal right to land and title held by First Nations, as laid out in the landmark Tsilhqot香蕉视频直播檌n decision and other court rulings, gives him hope that the government香蕉视频直播檚 promises are more than just empty words, John added.

Horgan said true reconciliation starts with genuine respect and that all of B.C. stands to benefit by listening to the 香蕉视频直播渒nowledge of millennia香蕉视频直播� held by Indigenous Peoples.

香蕉视频直播淔or too long the words that have come from governments have been hollow to First Nations people,香蕉视频直播� he said, adding that he wants to deliver substance and action on the issues that matter to Aboriginal Peoples across the province.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 my commitment to you today as we start this gathering, and I want you to hold me accountable,香蕉视频直播� he said, addressing the more than 560 people who had registered for the two-day event.

Dan Ashton, Indigenous relations critic for the Opposition Liberals, said he recognizes there was 香蕉视频直播渢he odd stumbling block香蕉视频直播� in the relationship between government and First Nations under the previous administration, but the overall trend was a positive one.

香蕉视频直播淚 think our government took a lot of good steps in the right direction,香蕉视频直播� Ashton said.

香蕉视频直播淲e all wish things would happen a lot quicker,香蕉视频直播� he added, lamenting the fact the courts had to be involved in resolving some disputes.

Chief Judy Wilson of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said while she is hopeful the province is on board, she will remain unconvinced until she sees First Nations people at the table with government leaders for matters that go beyond program and service issues.

Recognition of aboriginal land and title rights is essential to that progress, she said.

香蕉视频直播淕et rid of the consultation. It香蕉视频直播檚 consent time now,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播漈hat香蕉视频直播檚 what we need to see on the ground.香蕉视频直播�

The B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders香蕉视频直播� Gathering is taking place before the speech from the throne on Friday, launching the New Democrats香蕉视频直播� first legislative session as government in more than 16 years.

Geordon Omand, The Canadian Press

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