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UBCIC PRESS RELEASE
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs’ Response to the Throne Speech
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2003
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs’ Response to the Throne Speech
(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, February 12, 2003)
Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs stated, “Although we appreciate the Government of British Columbia’s admission of historical wrongdoing, generally speaking, the UBCIC is not overly impressed with yesterday’s Speech from the Throne.”
Chief Phillip continued, “Yesterday’s so-called ‘statement of regret’ is obviously part of a public relations strategy designed to convince the general public that the government is committed to reconciling aboriginal title interests and Crown interests.”
“Further, the government is attempting to pacify Native people in order to buy peace in the forests, peace on the water and peace in the oil patch. Most significantly, the government is desperately attempting to convince investors that BC, by virtue of its progressive aboriginal policy, is in a position to offer a safe and stable investment climate.
In reality, the government continues to pursue a policy of offering marginal economic opportunities to First Nation communities. In short, all the government is really offering are bigger table scraps,” said Chief Phillip.
“In terms of the government’s so-called Economic Measures Fund, a First Nation has to agree not to assert their Aboriginal rights ‘on the ground’ or ‘in the courts’ during the term of these funding agreements.
We ask you is that economic opportunity or economic coercion?” observed Chief Phillip.
Chief Phillip remarked, “The Throne Speech refers to equitable economic opportunity, the gas and oil industry in Northeastern BC generates an annual amount of 5 billion dollars of investment opportunity while in total contrast local First Nations communities tolerate deplorable conditions of poverty. In one particular case, a local Native leader reported that 19 people were forced to live in one house.
We do not need public posturing. We do not need public statements of regret. We do not need public promises and expressions of good intent.
We need the Government of British Columbia to recognize that they have a legal and moral duty to accommodate our Aboriginal Title interests in all of the land and resources that comprise the Province of British Columbia.”
Chief Phillip concluded, “The Courts have spoken. Delgamuukw clearly states that we enjoy a ‘proprietary’ or ownership interest in all the lands and resources within BC. We have every right and reason to expect a significant and substantive involvement in the economy of the Province of BC. We are sick and tired of the poverty that is a direct result of our ongoing economic exclusion and economic marginalization. We need much more than hollow public promises and bigger table scraps we need and demand economic justice.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chief Stewart Phillip Cell: (250) 490-5314
Established in 1969, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is a political organization protecting the Aboriginal Title and Rights of our member communities. We are based in Kamloops and have an office in Vancouver. For further details visit our website at http://www.ubcic.bc.ca.
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