National Aboriginal Day an Opportunity to Focus on Reconciliation

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 21, 2014) - On National Aboriginal Day, the Treaty Commission encourages all Canadians to take the opportunity to learn about and celebrate aboriginal peoples, their distinctive cultures and the many contributions to our country.

"National Aboriginal Day creates awareness of the new relationship that is being created between Canadians and aboriginal peoples," says Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre. In British Columbia, where the federal and provincial governments and many First Nations are in active treaty negotiations, the spotlight on First Nations rights and title is increasingly important as issues of land and economic development are debated.

The Treaty Commission encourages the federal and provincial governments to continue moving forward with reconciliation through the completion of more treaties, based on a relationship of respect for First Nations and their unique place in Canada as self-determining and distinct peoples. National Aboriginal Day and National Aboriginal Awareness Month are opportunities to focus on First Nations and why reconciliation through fairly negotiated and implemented treaties is an honourable goal for all Canadians.

About the BC Treaty Commission The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education. Visit www.bctreaty.ca to learn more about the Treaty Commission.