Cheers rang out this morning as Tla’amin Nation unveiled three new totem poles at its new Government House, marking the start of a community celebration recognizing the First Nation’s treaty coming into effect.

The three cedar poles represent the past, present and future and were carved to commemorate a new era for the Tla’amin people as a self-governing First Nation.

First Nations leaders, representatives from local government and the governments of British Columbia and Canada joined together with hundreds of Tla’amin citizens in the Tla’amin community and Powell River to celebrate this historic milestone for Tla’amin Nation.

On April 5, 2016,  at 12:01 a.m., the Tla’amin treaty came into effect, providing for Tla’amin Nation’s ownership over land and resources, law-making authority related to its land, culture, public services, and rights relating to fishing, hunting and gathering throughout its traditional territory.

Tla’amin Nation citizens travelled from across B.C. and Canada to be a part of history in the making as Tla’amin Nation implements its treaty and exercises its authorities, rights and responsibilities as a government recognized and protected under the Constitution of Canada.

For photos of the Tla’amin community celebration, see: ow.ly/10bQ1T

For the April 5, 2016, news release and video footage of the Tla’amin treaty coming into effect: news.gov.bc.ca/10628

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

Tla’amin Final Agreement and associated factsheets: ow.ly/YCeBd

Tla’amin Nation: sliammonfirstnation.com

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: gov.bc.ca/arr

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada: aadnc-aandc.gc.ca

B.C. Treaty Commission: bctreaty.net