Four years ago, we embarked on a new relationship with First Nations. A relationship founded on mutual respect and recognition of Aboriginal rights and title. One that moves beyond the failed approaches of the past with constructive dialogue and a genuine desire to move forward together, as true partners in building a stronger BC.

We sought to engage one another with new trust and a shared resolve to improving the quality of life and living conditions for Aboriginal people. It was a historic agreement aimed at providing new certainty on the land base, new clarity about our mutual legal rights and responsibilities, and a new commitment to shared decision-making and to revenue and benefit sharing.

That new relationship has already led to more progress in the last four years than in the previous 150 years combined www.gov.bc.ca/yourbc/firstnations . The future will not be won through denial or through the old relationship marked by confrontation, litigation and institutionalized inequity. It will be built through formal recognition of Indigenous Nations and a new government-to-government relationship. It will be built through negotiation, consultation,  accommodation and the reconciliation of Aboriginal peoples’ constitutionally-protected inherent rights and title with the Crown’s title, jurisdiction and obligations to all British Columbians.

For the first time ever in our province’s history, we are poised to repair the damage caused by so many years of mistrust and misguided policies. We are looking forward to a positive future guided by a new Recognition and Reconciliation Act that sets out the principles for defining and honouring the province’s new commitments to Indigenous Nations. That will produce new economic opportunity for all citizens and it will create new confidence in our economy and on our the land base.