The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) held a public meeting in Tatla Lake on Friday, Jan. 30 to discuss the details and implementation of the Tsilhqot’in Decision.
Around 50 people attended.
At the meeting TNG vice-chair Chief Roger William provided an overview of the decision along with an update on discussions happening with the provincial and federal governments.
“To move forward, we need to understand each other and work together," William said. "Residents are concerned that the same thing will happen to them as happened to the Tsilhqot’in – that their land will be taken out from under them. Our intention is to learn from history and our struggles of displacement, we wish to coexist with the residents of the Chilcotin.”
William said the TNG's goal is to get caught up – to have a voice and be treated as an equal partner in a meaningful way.
"People have chosen the Chilcotin as a place to settle because they love it here," he said. "I believe we share some of the same values as these residents. I hope that improving the lives of the Tsilhqot’in would ultimately improve the lives of everyone in the Chilcotin.”
The 150-year journey from the Chilcotin War in 1864 to today has been one of sadness and pain, but June 26, 2014 was a day of hope – hope for healing, hope for understanding and hope for reconciliation, the TNG said in a press release, adding recognizing the past, building strong relationships and moving forward together is the path TNG wants to take.