Chief calls meeting with PM ‘positive’
It was billed as a historic meeting between First Nations chiefs and the prime minister.
Tk’emlups Indian Band Chief Shane Gottriedson called the Crown-First Nations meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 24, a “positive gathering.”
“I think we’ve got to start somewhere,” he said.
Gottfriedson said the biggest focus on the meeting was to build a trust between the two sides.
He specifically suggested that, when the federal government decides to enact legislation on behalf of all First Nations, they be included in the discussion.
He noted another agenda item for the TIB was the issue of taxation jurisdiction, which was discussed during follow-up sessions at the meeting.
Gottfriedson said the TIB wants to look at creating its own taxation revenues.
The TIB chief also met with federal Environment Minister Peter Kent to discuss the proposed Ajax mine project south of Aberdeen. Gottfriedson said the band also wanted a federal panel review for the project, which was rejected by the minister.
However, he said, Kent gave his commitment to work with the band to resolve some of the issues relating to the mine.
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