In response to a number of queries, Premier John Horgan has reviewed the transcript of his remarks during the news conference of January 9, 2019 regarding the events in Unis’tot’en territory.

The passage that raised concern reads: “And the challenge for government, federal and provincial, is determining how we bring together these historic band councils modelled with, as I understand it, the emerging hereditary model that's very much manifesting itself in Wet'suwet'en territory.”

The Premier’s comments regarding the hereditary model were intended to refer to the traditional, long-standing and now “re-emerging hereditary model,” in contrast to the Indian Act band council model imposed in the 19th century. The use of the word “emerging” during the news conference has caused confusion.

In the Premier’s view, it is the mutual responsibility of all governments to shift their relationships and arrangements with Indigenous peoples to one that is based on recognition for and support of implementation of their right to self determination, including the inherent right of self-government for Indigenous nations.