Negotiations
Tŝilhqot’in National Government Negotiations Department
Negotiations is guided by the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement, a successor to the Nenqay Deni Accord. The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is tasked with supporting the Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs as they work to achieve lasting reconciliation for the Tŝilhqot’in peoples in their engagement with British Columbia and Canada.
These agreements outline the next steps in reconciling including immediately addressing priority areas such as governance, economic development, justice, health, education, social issues, and land and resource management.
What we are striving towards
Through meeting with communities and knowledge keepers throughout 2014 and 2015, the 8 pillars were developed as a frame of reference for the work of improving the lives of the Tŝilhqot’in people.
•Full self-government for Tŝilhqot’in people
•According to Tŝilhqot’in laws, institutions and values
•Full self-government for Tŝilhqot’in people
•According to Tŝilhqot’in laws, institutions and values
•Tŝilhqot’in management of the lands, resources and wildlife
•Sustainable for future generations
• Health indicators on par or better than non-Aboriginal communities
• Programs delivered by Tŝilhqot’in, based on Tŝilhqot’in laws and values
• Standard of Living on par or better than non-Aboriginal communities
• Adequate housing, clean water, roads, infrastructure, etc.
• Education and support for Tŝilhqot’in communities
• Innovative preventative strategies and alternatives
• Funding and outcomes on par or better than non-Aboriginal schools
• Real opportunities for post-secondary education and training
• Sufficient and sustainable economic base to support the above outcomes
What does this all look like?
What does Tŝilhqot’in Nation Building look like? Below shows the work that has been done in the past (at the top) with each of the 8 pillars making up a river. The rivers meet at the work of governance – standing up and renewing Tŝilhqot’in governance systems. The islands are visuals of some of the very high-level projects happening in each of the pillars. Below is a Tŝilhqot’in translation of the Nation Building illustration.
“… [O]ur government is committed to work with the Tsilhqot’in Nation to address an urgent priority: the serious housing and infrastructure needs you face in your communities. But let me be clear: we know that the solutions to the issues you face must come from your communities, with our support. You know better than anyone what your communities need and how we can be of help. We have seen the vision for the Tsilhqot’in Housing Investment Strategy, led by your communities – a vision we are proud to support.
This plan includes skills training and work opportunities for your citizens. Our government is committed to working with you to address this critical issue and help transform the lives of Tsilhqot’in families where it matters most – their homes. Now, I know this is just a start. There is still a lot of work ahead of us.”
– Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 2018
