PRRD to begin consultation for land acknowledgement

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) will begin consultations to develop a land acknowledgement statement for the district. 

According to the motion presented to directors at the PRRD meeting on April 20th, the consultations will take place with representatives of Treaty 8 and SCION Strategies Ltd. 

The PRRD stated they felt it was their “responsibility” to consult and engage with Treaty 8 representatives during the development of this statement. 

“The PRRD feels the process of developing a potential land acknowledgement statement needs to be in collaboration with Local and First Nations governments, Treaty 8 signatories, to adhere to the principles of cultural safety.” 

Treaty 8 currently encompasses 39 First Nations communities in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories. 

SCION Strategies Ltd. is a consulting group that works exclusively with the Dunne Za Nations of West Moberly, Doig River, Prophet River, and Halfway River First Nations. 

The full motion for consultation from the PRRD can be read below: