Respect is the essential ingredient when doing business with the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation.
That was the message from key speakers at a workshop on June 11 that brought together local politicians and administrators to review the newly released shíshálh Nation Lands and Resources Decision-Making Policy.
"It's important that you understand the word sharing," former chief Calvin Craigan told the guests assembled in the shíshálh Nation longhouse for the workshop. "The other word is respect."
"It's all about respecting each other's process when we come to the table," Chief Garry Feschuk said, calling the land-use policy a "positive" document. "We need to follow this in order to take our rightful place in the territory."
Presenting the policy, Jasmine Paul, director of the rights and title department, said respecting the collective shíshálh title and rights is the document's first guiding principle.
"It's critical," Paul said. "Shíshálh title and rights are fundamental in its relation to the land."
Other guiding principles include: applying shíshálh laws on the land; maintaining, revitalizing and strengthening shíshálh culture, traditions, economy, environment, spirituality, language and other institutions; and advancing reconciliation.
Reconciliation is also a critical part of the decision-making process, Paul said. "Reconciliation is about sovereignty," she said.
The document lays out the shíshálh's expectations for the Crown, proponents and others seeking to use lands and resources within the territory. It outlines roles and responsibilities, a seven-stage decision-making process, and six factors that are examined as part of the process.
It also specifies how the Crown and proponents should engage with shíshálh - and again, demonstrating respect is highlighted.
"The history of decision-making in shíshálh territory since contact with Europeans includes a legacy of denial, disrespect, and active efforts to undermine shíshálh governance, laws and jurisdiction," the document says. "Precisely the opposite of this legacy is now expected."
The policy document was developed in response to the heavy volume of applications and referrals for uses such as aquaculture leases, private moorage and marinas, utility lines, mineral extraction, power projects, water licences, commercial recreation, land tenures, fee simple lands and forestry licences.
"If you add them all together, they have a huge impact on our rights and titles in the territory," Feschuk said.
"There are more and more developments going in," Coun. Ben Pierre added, "and we have to ensure that the natural resources that we lived off and sustained ourselves with for years are going to be protected."
Feschuk said there are some areas in the territory where no development is wanted.
"One is the watershed. We will stand up and fight for that."
Asked how local government can recognize shíshálh rights and title, Feschuk said: "I think it's already there. They have respect for us as a Nation."
Asked by MLA Nicholas Simons if the shíshálh solicits views from people who will be impacted by a proposed development, beyond Band members, Paul said not at this time.
As part of the workshop, Candace Campo told the shíshálh creation story and explained the significance of the four corner poles in the longhouse.
"The dirt floor is to remind ourselves where we came from. We all come from Mother Earth," Campo said.
Robert Higgins led xwamstut in a welcome song and feast song, with lunch prepared by Andrew Puglas.
Chair Garry Nohr thanked Feschuk on behalf of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, calling the workshop "a good, worthwhile day for us," and District of Sechelt Mayor John Henderson followed suit.
"It always strikes me how intertwined the District of Sechelt and Sechelt Nation really are," Henderson said.
The policy document can be viewed at www.secheltnation.ca.
