BRITISH COLUMBIA TREATY COMMISSION
Beginning in 1993, the BCTC involved the federal and provincial governments and was tasked with resolving issues of title and rights within five years.
"Deny, delay and distract"was the result and ten years later nothing had been accomplished.
Think about this. You have a child and the ten years of growth and development to grade five is massive and yet the BCTC accomplished nothing.
Jody Wilson-Raybould joined the group in 2003 and discovered one of the barriers to completion was the absence of half of the participants. Some rejected the negotiations approach, some were not ready for the complex process.
The Liberal government, "was openly hostile to modern treaty-making with First Nations...and self-government."
JWR knew that emerging from colonialism was going to be long and arduous.
The process continues.
I had the honor of attending many negotiations lead by Nuu-chah-nulth's Chief Simon Lucas who instilled upon his team that time is not measured by the hands on a clock but the willingness to persevere and stand by your principles.
Dr. Lucas was a frequent guest speaker in my Glenwood Elementary classroom in Port Alberni, British Columbia where he shared his wisdom & knowledge, providing students with an in depth understanding of indigenous culture.
"Simon’s great contribution has been his eloquence in articulating an Aboriginal perspective that is absolutely critical in dealing with issues of forestry, fisheries and global warming."
https://indspire.ca/laureate/simon-lucas-2/
One of the many times Elder Lucas came to my classroom to chat with students he spoke of this, Time.
Once after observing a negotiation session between the Nuu-Chah-Nulth counsel and federal government, I commented about his patience, tenacity and endurance. He replied, "Jon, you don't know how to tell time like a First Nations person. We were here long before your ancestors came to Canada and we will be here thousands of years from now. Time is not measured by a clock on the wall."