“We stand shoulder to shoulder to denounce in the strongest terms the inflammatory and disrespectful statements and death threats toward the shíshálh Nation and shíshálh people.”
That in a joint statement from the Province and the shíshálh Nation. In it they state, “We recognize this is a small minority of people who hold hateful views. Our governments condemn these threats and tactics in the strongest possible terms.”
They’re saying the statement is needed because of recent public responses on social media and the posting of confrontational signage on a shíshálh long house. All of these incidents are tied to a recently proposed dock management plan which is currently gathering public feedback.
The plan has been in the works since 2015 and has the stated goal of protecting environmental and archaeological values. It’s been criticized for placing unrealistic restrictions on boathouses and boats.
Related: New dock restrictions at Pender Harbour frustrate Area Resident Association director
Despite the incidents leading to the statement, the public consultation process on the dock management plan remains open until February 16th. They say they’ll simply ignoring any responses including racist remarks.
“Vandalism and racism have no place whatsoever in British Columbia’s political discourse, on Sunshine Coast or anywhere else,” reads the statement. “For clarity, submissions with racist remarks will not be reviewed or considered by the government or shíshálh in any subsequent steps regarding the Dock Management Plan.”
