Thurs. Oct. 23, 2014
For immediate release
VICTORIA, B.C. – The British Columbia Green Party welcomes the apology offered by Premier Christy Clark on behalf of all British Columbians to the Tsilhqot’in for the wrongful hanging of their chiefs 150 years ago.
After acknowledging the history of betrayal, Premier Clark completely exonerated the chiefs, stating they were “not criminals and they were not outlaws. They were warriors, they were leaders, and they were engaged in a territorial dispute to defend their lands and their peoples.”
“Premier Clark’s actions today are important for all of us as British Columbians. Our province was not built in a day in 1871; British Columbia has been built on our collective history of relationships, which have included both just and unjust, positive and negative actions. There are many sad stories from our history that are just like the one told by Premier Clark today, and stronger, trusting relationships will only be built over time through actions like the one the Premier Clark took today,” said Adam Olsen, Interim Leader of the B.C. Green Party. “It is important that the government continue to act to reconcile our past and build meaningful and trusting relationships with the indigenous peoples of British Columbia.”
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