With chiefs, elders, community members and law enforcement present, a technical team representing the Lower Similkameen Indian Band legally entered private property in Cawston to begin removing ancestral remains.
A provincial ministerial order granted the band access to the property.
This order marks unprecedented action by the province, which ensures that the reburial is expedited and sanctioned.
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The decision is an outcome of a leadership gathering last week between Chief Keith Crow, the Honorable Minister of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Doug Donaldson Forest, and the Honorable Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Scott Fraser.
“After over a year and half of waiting I’m so thankful to finally be going in the right direction, and have this issue addressed right now. The current NDP government has been responsive and respectful. Moving forward, this decision is a step in the right direction for meaningful Nation to Nation relations within the Province of BC,” Chief Keith Crow said in a news release.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip also praised the move.
“We applaud the Horgan government for taking responsible, respectful, decisive actions, and today our technical people will take the actions necessary to properly attend to the remains of our ancestors,” Grand Chief Phillip said.
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