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Honourable Michael de Jong
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AGREEMENT REACHED TO SETTLE FOUR-DECADE OLD FLOODING IMPACTS – December 12, 2006
VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell announced agreements in-principle have been reached with the Tsay Key Dene Band and the Kwadacha Nation to address the impact on their communities and culture from the construction of the Bennett Dam and the Williston Reservoir 40 years ago. Joining Premier Campbell for the announcement were Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; BC Hydro President and CEO Bob Elton; Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Dave Porter, a member of the political executive with the First Nations Leadership Council and Chair of the Kaska Dena Council; Chief Johnny Pierre, of the Tsay Keh Dene Band; Chief Donny Van Somer of the Kwadacha Nation and Elder Jean Isaac. [News release]
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FINAL AGREEMENT INITIALLED WITH MAA-NULTH FIRST NATIONS – December 9, 2006
VICTORIA – Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; and Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation join the five Chiefs of the member bands that make up the Maa-nulth First Nations to participate in the signing of the Maa-nulth Final Agreement. The agreement was initialled by chief negotiators for the Province of B.C., Canada and the Maa-nulth First Nations.
Front row left to right: Chief Therese Smith of the Ka:yu’k’t’h’/Che:’ktles7et’h’ First Nations, Chief Charlie Cootes of the Uchucklesaht Tribe, and Chief Violet Mundy of the Ucluelet First Nation.
Back row left to right: The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Chief Bert Mack of Toquaht Nation; Honourable Premier Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; Chief Robert Dennis of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations; and the Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. [Final Agreement]
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INITIALLING OF TSAWWASSEN FINAL AGREEMENT– December 8, 2006
VANCOUVER – At the event witnessing the initialling of the first ever Lower Mainland Final Agreement, Premier Gordon Campbell, Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Tsawwassen Negotiator, Laura Cassidy listen to Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Kim Baird's remarks.
Front row left to right: Laura Cassidy, Tsawwassen Chief Negotiator; Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Premier Gordon Campbell.
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VANCOUVER- Premier Gordon Campbell, Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Tsawwassen Negotiator Laura Cassidy witness the historic signing of the Tsawwassen Final Agreement.
Back row left to right: Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Laura Cassidy, Tsawwassen Chief Negotiator and Premier Gordon Campbell.
Front row left to right: Tim Koepke, Federal Chief Negotiator; Tsawwassen Chief Kim Baird and Bronwen Beedle, Provincial Chief Negotiator.
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PROVINCE SUPPORTS FIRST PEOPLES' FILM AT RBCM – December 7, 2006
VICTORIA - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation speaks at the Royal British Columbia Museum launch of First Peoples of British Columbia, a six-minute, large-format multimedia presentation celebrating the history and culture of First Nations in British Columbia. The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation contributed $50,000 towards the project which will run 10 times daily on the two-storey, three-dimensional map in the lobby of the museum. [News release]
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PROPOSED SETTLEMENT RESOLVES VICTORIA LAND CLAIM –
November 18, 2006
VICTORIA - The Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation joins Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation and Chief Robert Sam of the Songhees Nation to initial a proposed settlement that would release Canada and British Columbia from all Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations’ claims to a parcel of land in downtown Victoria, which includes the grounds of the B.C. Legislature. [Watch the video]
Front row left to right: The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
Back row left to right: Chief Andy Thomas, Esquimalt Nation; Chief Robert Sam, Songhees Nation; Elder Elmer George.
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VICTORIA - The Honourable Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (centre) and Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians (left) greet Chief Robert Sam of the Songhees Nation at the B.C. Legislature.
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VICTORIA - Minister Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Chief Robert Sam of the Songhees Nation exchange gifts at the initialling ceremony.
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PROVINCE HELPS ABORIGINAL VETERANS HONOUR COMRADES –
November 7, 2006
SURREY - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation joins members of the Lower Mainland Aboriginal Veterans Association at a cheque presentation ceremony. The Province provided $1,000 to make it possible for members to attend 2006 Remembrance Day ceremonies at locations across Greater Vancouver.
Front row left to right: Joy Ward, Betty McLean, Marie Solberger.
Back row: Joe Laiter, Noel Poitras, Louis Schmidt, Minister de Jong, Rusty Wilson, Bob Kelly.
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PRINCE GEORGE - October 29, 2006
The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; and Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick join Lheidli T'enneh Band children holding the Lheidli T'enneh Final Agreement. The agreement was initialled by chief negotiators for the Province of BC, Canada and the Lheidli T'enneh Band.
Left to right: Tom Molloy, Chief Federal Negotiator; Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians; Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; and Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick.
Back row left to right: Trevor Proverbs, Chief Provincial Negotiator; and Mark Stevenson, Chief Lheidli T'enneh Negotiator.
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PRINCE GEORGE - Lheidli T'enneh Band members lead the procession of dignitaries into the Prince George Convention Centre to witness the initialling of the Lheidli T'enneh Final Agreement.
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PRINCE GEORGE - The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, presents British Columbia's gift to Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick as the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians applauds.
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MISSION - October 28, 2006
In-SHUCK-ch Nation 'Watela' Wallace Henry welcomes Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation to the In-SHUCK-ch Annual General Assembly. Minister de Jong joined chiefs to initial the In-SHUCK-ch Nation Agreement-in-Principle.
Left to right: 'Watela', Wallace Henry, representing Chief Patrick Williams of Skatin First Nations; Chief Keith Smith, Samahquam Nation; Gerard Peters, In-SHUCK-ch Nation Chief Negotiator; Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
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MISSION - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation receives a gift from In-SHUCK-ch Elder Laura Purcell as part of the In-SHUCK-ch Agreement-in-Principle signing ceremony.
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PROVINCE TRANSFERS XA:YTEM LANDS TO STO:LO HERITAGE TRUST SOCIETY – October 21, 2006
MISSION - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation speaks at a ceremony at the Xa:ytem Longhouse to recognize the transfer of land from the Province to the Sto:lo Heritage Trust Society. The Xa:ytem Longhouse, also known as Hatzic Rock, is an archaeological site that has become a world class First Nations Interpretive Centre with traditional pit houses and longhouse serving as a centre of culture and learning.
Left to right: Minister de Jong, Steven Point, Chief Commissioner, BC Treaty Commission; Grand Chief Clarence Pennier, President, Sto:lo Tribal Council; Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo; Dr. Linnea Battel, Executive Director, Sto:lo Heritage Trust Society.
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PROVINCE SUPPORTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN TREATY PROCESS – October 23, 2006
VICTORIA - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation addressed the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Annual Convention and announced provincial funding of $100,000 to support local government participation in the treaty process. The funding is in addition to $305,000 allocated since 2005 for the Treaty Advisory Committees and local government participation in treaty-related activities.
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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH HONOURS ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN B.C. – October 17, 2006
VICTORIA - Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services joins honourees and presenters at a ceremony recognizing Aboriginal women in B.C. for their contributions to the province as part of Women's History Month at the Royal B.C. Museum. This year, the theme for Women’s History Month is Aboriginal Women: The Journey Forward.
Left to right: April McLean-Collart, chair of the Métis Women's Secretariat of British Columbia and Minister for Women of the Métis Nation BC (presenter); Delbert Guerin, son of Gertrude Guerin, honouree (posthumous award) for Family and Community; Sophie Thomas, honouree for Language, Culture and the Arts; Rose Johnston, honouree for Health, Sports and Science (behind Sophie Thomas); Minister Chong; Jean Peerless, honouree for Public Service, Business and Entrepreneurship; Christa Williams, honouree for Education; Chief Judith Sayers, First Nations Summit Executive and First Nations Leadership Council (presenter).
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MINISTER DE JONG ATTENDS OKANAGAN NATION ALLIANCE AGM –
October 5, 2006
OSOYOOS - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, joins Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band on a tour of the Nk'mip and Spirit Ridge facilities, Canada's first Aboriginal winery. Minister de Jong addressed the Okanagan Nation Alliance at their Annual General Meeting.
Left to right: Walter Kohli, General Manager, Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa; Jay Johnson (behind Mr. Kohli), Okanagan Nation Alliance; Minister de Jong; Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band.
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MINISTER DE JONG ATTENDS MÉTIS NATION BC'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – September 30, 2006
KELOWNA - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, joins Métis Nation BC President Bruce Dumont at their 9th Annual General Meeting. The Province and MNBC continue to build a solid relationship to improve the quality of life for British Columbia's 45,000 Métis people.
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MINISTER DE JONG ATTENDS MÉTIS NATION BC'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – September 30, 2006
KELOWNA - Michael de Jong, joins members of the Métis Nation British Columbia at their Annual General Meeting and banquet.
Left to right: Don Caverley, AGM Master of Ceremonies; Bob Ducharme, Sergeant at Arms and President of BC Métis Veterans; Minister de Jong; Keith Henry, CEO, Métis Nation BC. Henry, CEO, Métis Nation BC.
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MINISTER ADDRESSES FIRST NATIONS SUMMIT -
September 29, 2006
KAMLOOPS - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, joins members of the First Nations Summit (FNS), BC Assembly of First Nations (BC AFN) and Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) to recognize outgoing FNS task group member Chief Doug Kelly at the FNS quarterly meeting.
Left to right: Leah George-Wilson, FNS; Chief Judith Sayers, FNS; Grand Chief Ed John, FNS; Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC; Daniel Watts, FNS; Chief Doug Kelly, FNS; Dave Porter, FNS; Shawn Atleo, BC AFN; Minister de Jong.
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UBCIC 38th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY - September 22, 2006
VANCOUVER - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, addresses the Union of BC Indian Chiefs 38th Annual General Assembly in Vancouver.
Left to right: Minister de Jong, Chief Stewart Phillip, President, UBCIC, Chief Mike Retasket, UBCIC Executive, Chief Robert Shintah, UBCIC Executive.
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COUNCIL OF FOREST INDUSTRIES COMMUNITY DINNER - September 21, 2006
PRINCE GEORGE - Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconcilation joined members of the Council of Forest Industries Community Dinner in Prince George. Attendees included industry, community and municipal leaders, as well as First Nations.
Left to right (front row): Minister de Jong, John Allan, President & CEO Council of Forest Industries, Deborah Munoz, Councillor, City of Prince George. Chief Dominic Frederick, Lheidli T'enneh Nation, Tim Sheldan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests and Range, Maria Pope, Chair, COFI Board of Directors and Vice President, Pope and Talbot Inc.
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