Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong on Friday attended a Reconciliation Journey ceremony held by the Tseycum First Nation at the Union Bay reserve.

During the ceremony, Minister Chong and Chief Tanya Jones signed a Reconciliation Agreement. Under this agreement, B.C. will provide the Tseycum with $200,000. This includes $150,000 for the Journey Home Cemetery and the re-interment of Tseycum First Nation ancestors. B.C. and Tseycum will work together to establish a roadside landmark as a place of reflection that acknowledges and honours the history of the Tseycum people.

B.C. is also committed to further reconciliation efforts. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Tseycum First Nation have agreed to develop a plan for road improvements in the area that will benefit both the Tseycum community and the general public. The Province will make $50,000 capacity funding available to the Tseycum First Nation to be applied toward the cost of the ongoing engagements.

A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a refurbished totem pole that had been damaged last year. The repair and re-installation of the pole represents a further step in the Tseycum healing journey.

Quotes:

Ida Chong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

"We understand the importance of Tseycum's efforts to both repatriate their ancestors and bury their people with dignity. This agreement is an opportunity to recognize the living history of the Tseycum First Nation on the Saanich Peninsula and to build a future based on respect and recognition."

Tanya Jones, Chief of the Tseycum First Nation -

"It is a great honour for Tseycum to be a part of this event. It will be a day in history for Tseycum First Nation. The next steps to move forward will continue to be our goal.
On behalf of our Elders, members, I raise my hands "HISWKE" to all whom have supported, shared this work with Tseycum."

Mary Polak, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure -

"The Tseycum have an important connection to the land and sea and this agreement honours that connection. I look forward to working with the Tseycum as we explore improvements along West Saanich Road, and future opportunities for the Tseycum community."

Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands -

"We can only heal the wounds of the past by working together to build better relationships in the future, and B.C. looks forward to this journey."

Quick Facts:

• In 2009, B.C. and the Tseycum First Nation signed the Halitun Nutusmat (healing through one mind) Protocol which committed the parties to work together.
• The parties have been working together to reconcile and to resolve the issues with respect to the Tseycum First Nation burial sites that lie adjacent to and within the West Saanich Road right-of-way.
• The Tseycum First Nation community on West Saanich Road is located north of the Victoria International Airport in Patricia Bay.

Learn More:

For more information on this Reconciliation Agreement, visit http://www.newrelationship.gov.bc.ca/agreements_and_leg/reconciliation.html

Media Contact:

Robin Platts
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204
250 213-6451 cell 

Tanya Jones
Chief of the Tseycum First Nation
250 656 0858