Williams Lake, BC: The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has sent a small delegation; including Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, Tŝilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chair, to Sweden and other parts of Northern Europe to bring awareness to Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada.

While in Europe, and following the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Tŝilhqot’in delegation met with His Excellency, Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Honourable Ralph Goodale in London.

The delegation will also attend a meeting at Shell’s Corporate headquarters in the Hague to continue discussions on the reforestation work in Tŝilhqot’in traditional territory and to work towards a carbon neutral future. Later the same day, Chief Joe will present at the Hague University of Applied Sciences, in a seminar on the intersection of human rights and Indigenous rights.

Finally, the delegation will be hosted by Sweden’s Indigenous peoples, known as the Sami Peoples for a cultural exchange and discussion on mining. Discussion are part of a project with the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of Saskatchewan and Luleå University of Technology. The Tŝilhqot’in delegates are honoured to have this opportunity to learn from the Sami about their governance, laws, language and culture, and to share the Tŝilhqot’in experiences, culture, and teachings with them.