Ep. 001: "Tsilhqot'in Decision Shows Land Is Ours"

Guest: Stewart Phillip, Grand Chief

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs opened his remarks saying, “Land claims are not for wimps.”

McNish’s discussion with Phillip is the first in a series of interviews with thought leaders about the Tsilhqot’in land-claim decision handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada on June 26, 2014. The unanimous decision granted title to the First Nation and at the same time changed the way British Columbia will be governed.

Phillip says the decision has changed the province forever. He points out that British Columbia is unceded Aboriginal Land and this court decision is another ruling recognizing the rights of First Nations.

Phillip points to the chain of decisions made in British Columbia that led to a province without treaties. At the time of Confederation, British Columbia, contrary to the directive spelled out in the Royal Proclamation of 1763 from the Crown in Britain, had not negotiated treaties extinguishing First Nations title.

Phillip points out, “When (BC) joined Confederation in 1971 it wasn’t all that eager and willing to join.” He goes on to say an article of union, Article 13, was included at the insistence of the British Columbia government.Phillip characterizes it this way: “We can continue dispossessing and shafting the native people as we have in the past.”