July 5, 2018 - 6:30pm
Aboriginal Gathering Centre, Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue New Westminster
This event, titled Site C: Treaty Power or Power Politics, will be held on July 5thand feature six speakers: Chief Bob Chamberlain, Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Gordon Christie, Director of Indigenous Studies at UBC Allard Law School, Julian Napoleon, a Dane-zaa/Cree from the Saulteau First Nations of Treaty 8 in the Peace River country, who looks at relationships between land, water, food and community within Dane-zaa territory, Adrienne Peacock, a faculty emeritus of Douglas College who worked in the Peace during the first British Columbia Utilities Commission hearings into Site C, the Reverend Emilie Smith of St Barnabas Church, New Westminster, and Dave Seaweed, Aboriginal Students Coordinator.
The event will be held in the Aboriginal Gathering Place from 6:30-9:30 pm on July 5th and is intended to profile crucial court cases, the first brought by the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations, which will frame the case for an injunction to be very focused on Treaty violation. This case is brought forward to prevent irreparable harm to the Peace River valley by suspending work on Site C until Treaty rights can be fully explored. The broader case for infringement of Treaty rights brought by the Blueberry band will also be discussed. In essence, it will be an evening to focus on issues of indigenous rights, focused primarily on Treaty 8 and the significance of treaty rights in reconciliation.
Thu, 5 July 2018 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM at the Aboriginal Gathering Place (4650)
Douglas College 700 Royal Ave New Westminster View Map
Speakers:
Chief Bob Chamberlain of the BC Union of Indian Chiefs
As the elected Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Chief Chamberlin takes an active role in the defense of Aboriginal Title and Rights and is committed to overcoming the challenges and impacts of fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago. Further, he frequently engages in lobby efforts at both the provincial and federal levels to ensure the protection of First Nations water rights and safe drinking water for our communities.
Gordon Christie, Professor of Law, Peter A Allard School of Law
Professor Christie is of Inupiat/Inuvialuit ancestry and researches in the areas of Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal title, indigenous self-determination, and the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal groups. Professor Christie’s research also focuses on the intersection between indigenous law and Aboriginal law that has developed through Canadian jurisprudence on section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Julian Napolean, Dane-Zaa and Cree from the Salteau First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory and Member of the Working Group on Indigenous Food Security
Adrienne Peacock, Faculty Emeritus, Douglas College, Department of Biology
After graduating with a Ph.D. in Zoology from UBC, Adrienne worked as a consultant to an environmental group and then, for over twenty years, taught biology, ecology and environmental science at Douglas College.
Reverend Emilie Smith, Rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, New Westminster
Dave Seaweed, Aboriginal Students Coordinator, Douglas College
Accessibility:
Please message the organizers with any accessibility concerns. Best entrance from campus parking lot or Royal Ave for those with mobility concerns. Barrier free washrooms available.
