The shishalh Nation says having provincial legislation amended to recognize traditional and legal shishalh names is an honour.
According to the province, six acts including the Sechelt Indian Government District Enabling Act, will replace ‘Sechelt’ with ‘shishalh’ and ‘Indian Band’ with ‘Nation’ to maintain consistency with federal legislation.
Chief Lenora Joe says making these amendments is an important step forward and one the Nation is proud to recognize.
“The name ‘Sechelt Indian Band’ is one that was imposed on us through colonization and removing that name is just one of many important steps towards reconciliation,” she says. “We would like to thank the province for working with us to make this important change to recognize who we’ve always been.”
According to the federal government, parliament amended the shishalh Nation Self-Government Act, which included updating the legal name of the Sechelt Indian Band to shishalh Nation in 2022.
Minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation Murray Rankin says the government moved to what was right and acted accordingly.
“The shishalh language is one of the original languages of this land,” he says. “These changes in consultation with the shishalh Nation, will ensure legislation in BC reflects and respects shishalh names.”
The Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 was introduced in the legislative assembly on Mar. 11, 2024 and received royal assent on Apr. 25.
For a list of changes visit the province’s website.
