Editor:
I would like to extend congratulations on behalf of the SCRD to Warren Paull on his re-election as Chief of the shíshálh Nation.
I particularly wanted to highlight Chief Paull’s post-election emphasis to the Coast Reporter (coastreporter.net, Feb. 17) that the Nation would be renewing a “steady presence at [the SCRD] table.”
All residents of the Sunshine Coast should be proud that our regional district was the first in the province to include representation of a self-governing First Nation. Yet despite so many years of having a prominent leadership role within our region, the shíshálh seat at the SCRD board table has been vacant too often to allow for fully collaborative regional decision making.
Whether it is publicly discussing options for a reservoir, searching for groundwater sources, considering the future of our landfill, improving sports fields, working together to host long-term care expansion and other health services, collaborating on Coast-wide economic development and affordable housing, expanding transit and fighting climate change, or balancing environmental protection with growing community support for shíshálh self-determination and economic development – it is integral for the voice of the shíshálh Nation to be heard at our table, and to take a central position in our public dialogue.
I appreciate Chief Paull’s frank acknowledgement of this as an area for improvement. We, too, are committed to working with him and the shíshálh Nation to make sure that their participation at the regional board is not limited to a voice and vote proportionate to Sechelt Indian Government District services, but rather carries at least as much respect and influence as any other seat at the table, with full recognition from all our directors that the shíshálh have a nation-to-nation relationship with the Province of B.C., and also have authorities and responsibilities delegated by federal legislation that surpass the jurisdiction of local government.
We regard the shíshálh Nation as a leader in our region, not an afterthought or empty seat. It is imperative that we recognize that their voice is needed to help address the many challenges facing our region.
We congratulate Chief Paull and his new Council, and warmly welcome them, with open arms, to their steady seat at our table.
Lori Pratt, Chair, Sunshine Coast Regional District
