Milestones he Métis Sash
The Spirit Pole
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During a 13-week tour, citizens in 50 communities throughout B.C. were given the opportunity to help master carver and Coast Salish-Kwagiulth artist Carey Newman carve a 6.1-metre red cedar log, transforming it into a ceremonial story pole, which was raised at the opening ceremonies of the Cowichan 2008 No r t h A m e r i c a n Indigenous Games.
The Métis sash is a woven belt made of wool, approximately three metres long. It was a versatile accessory that served as a temporary tumpline, key holder, first aid kit, washcloth, towel and, at times, an emergency bridle or saddle blanket. It also became a sewing kit during a buffalo hunt. Today, the sash is worn and displayed to demonstrate cultural awareness and pride. The colours of the sash represent many meanings — red for the bloodshed through years of fighting for Métis rights, blue for the depth of Métis spirit, green for the fertility of a great Métis Nation, white for the connection to the earth and the creator, yellow for the prospect of prosperity and black for the dark period of the suppression and dispossession of Métis land.
Diverse Communities
History and
Milestones of the Aboriginal Peoples of British Columbia
Milestones
History
November 2005 The Province of British Columbia is home to over 200 First Nations bands representing about 130,000 people. Approximately 59,000 Métis and 800 Inuit reside in the province. These diverse peoples represent over 34 distinct languages. From Vancouver Island to Yukon Territory, a vibrant quilt of indigenous cultures, anchored in generations of human history, covers the landscape of the entire province. Over 150 years ago, settlers of European descent first entered this land of richly varied Aboriginal peoples. As Europeans moved into First Nations territories, they introduced their own philosophies, technologies, political and economic systems. Collaborative relationships between Aboriginal peoples and settlers varied across regions and evolved over time. Their differences in language, culture and worldview sometimes peacefully coexisted in partnership but often clashed in conflict, leaving a legacy of mistrust. Despite these challenges, Aboriginal culture persevered and today is vibrant and thriving.
Recognition
The Province, the federal government and the First Nations Leadership Council sign the Transformative Change Accord — a commitment to improve government-togovernment relationships and to close social and economic gaps between First Nations and other British Columbians.
and Reconciliation First Nations and Métis peoples str uggled persistently for decades for recognition as self-determining peoples with languages, cultures and political systems deserving of respect and support. Canada took a step towards this recognition, with repatriation of the Canadian Constitution Act (1982). The Province of British Columbia also took steps towards recognition with the release of the New Relationship, the Transformative Change Accord and the Métis Nation Relationship Accord. A series of relationship-building initiatives is underway, as are ongoing discussions towards recognition and reconciliation.
The New Relationship
In 2005, the Province and First Nations in British Columbia committed to a new government-to-government relationship based on respect, recognition, and accommodation of Aboriginal title and rights. This commitment created a historic opportunity to reconcile Aboriginal and Crown titles and jurisdictions, and to achieve strong governments, social justice and self-sufficiency for First Nations, which will benefit all British Columbians.
May 2006 The Province and the Métis Nation British C o l u m b i a s i g n t h e Mé t i s Na t i o n Relationship Accord. The accord supports the Métis people and their aspirations to improve their quality of life and create better access to social and economic activities. October 2007
The Honourable Steven L. Point is sworn in as British Columbia’s 28th lieutenant governor on Oct.1, 2007. His Honour served as an elected chief of the Skowkale First Nation for 15 years. He was appointed a provincial court judge in February 1999 and is appointed chief commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission in 2005.
This brochure is a jointly sponsored product of the Ministry of Citizens’ Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. It is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. A special thank you to the Multicultural Advisory Council for their advice and commitment to increasing understanding and knowledge of the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to the province of British Columbia. For more information about B.C.’s multiculturalism, visit: www.EmbraceBC.ca .