Lək̓ʔəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — Today, we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We pause and reflect on the traumas that the Crown inflicted on, and continues to inflict on Indigenous peoples. We honour the survivors of residential schools, and we grieve for the children who never came home.
In a time of rising division, where anti-Indigenous racism is rife in political discourse, where masked men walk on the lands of Indigenous nations, to intimidate and spread hatred, we must be absolutely clear that the rights of Indigenous people are inherent, existing, and inextinguishable.
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the BC Greens recommit to standing with Indigenous rights, to confront hatred and disinformation, and to uphold Indigenous self-determination.
To that end, we pledge to:
- Remove uncertainty and opacity that currently exists by implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) through legislation.
- Enact an Indigenous Languages Act which affirms that Indigenous languages are a fundamental and valued part of British Columbia’s heritage. This will guarantee Indigenous language rights and provide communities with the necessary funding and support for language preservation, revitalization and strengthening.
- Create a taskforce to investigate and prosecute cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and two-Spirited people. This taskforce will operate under civilian oversight from Indigenous communities, with a strong focus on women’s leadership, and follow the guidance of the Red Women Rising report.
- Call on David Eby to issue a formal apology to the Cowichan and Gitxaała for mishandling his government’s approach to DRIPA.
- Fund public education on DRIPA to combat misinformation.
Click here to read our full Indigenous Rights Policy Brief.
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Media Contact
Prym Goodacre, Media & Campaigns Officer
+778 650 0597
newsroom@bcgreens.ca