Williams Lake, B.C.: The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, made an official visit to Tŝilhqot’in Lands on August 17th, to meet with Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs and community members.
The Lieutenant Governor visited the 30th annual Tl’etinqox Culture Camp, hosted by the Tŝilhqot’in community of Tl’etinqox. The Lieutenant Governor participated in discussions with leaders and staff, met with youth, and participated in camp activities reflecting the enduring cultural practices of the Tŝilhqot’in people.
In 2019, the Lieutenant Governor received an invitation to visit from Chief Joe Alphonse, O.B.C,
the Tribal Chair of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government. While travel was delayed due to the pandemic, the Lieutenant Governor’s trip to Tŝilhqot’in marks the first time a representative of the Crown in British Columbia has made an official visit to Tŝilhqot’in lands since the declaration of Aboriginal title. Having established Aboriginal title for the first time in Canadian history, in a historic Supreme Court of Canada judgment in 2014, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation is recognized for its leadership in advancing Indigenous rights around the world.
“Reconciliation is an important theme as part of my mandate as Lieutenant Governor, and thus
I was deeply honoured to receive an invitation to visit Tŝilhqot’in Lands. I was greatly inspired by the thoughtful and informative conversations had with Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs and councilors. It is with humble gratitude that I was able to spend time with the remarkable elders, youth and
leaders of this community.”
— Lieutenant Governor of BC, Janet Austin
“The story of the Tŝilhqot’in – our history and who we are today – is one to be shared
throughout B.C., Canada, and the world. Having the Honourable Janet Austin, representative of
the Queen, visit and meet our people was something we have wanted to do for a while. This
visit represents a positive shift from a history where it was denied that Aboriginal rights existed. Change is happening. We hope for more visits like this in the future as our stories and past become increasingly recognized by the world.”
— Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, O.B.C, Tribal Chair, Tŝilhqot’in National Government
Myanna Desaulniers
Communications Manager
Tŝilhqot’in National Government
(250) 305-7885
myanna@tsilhqotin.ca
Amanda Campbell
250 480 8948
amanda.campbell@gov.bc.ca
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