Sun columnist Douglas Todd explores the conflicts that arise when hereditary chiefs involve themselves in decisions that are made by their communities’ elected band councils.
He gives examples of the wide differences among First Nations in how their unelected hereditary chiefs are central to conflict.Sign up to know what's really happening by reading daily editorials and commentary by British Columbia's opinion leadersBy clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc.
My grandfather was an unelected, hereditary chief. He engaged with the Indian Reserve Commissioner in the early 1900s. He put his name to the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe alongside the names of his fellow chiefs, saying that, “We are aware the B.C. government claims our country, like all other Indian territories in B.C., but we deny their right to it.”Article content
Todd points out that legal agreements signed by elected band chiefs and councils are valid only as they pertain to Indian reserves, rather than all the First Nations territory. Quite so. For most First Nations in B.C., therefore, there is a void of First Nations jurisdiction except on Indian reserves.Article content
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