Land acknowledgement committee seeks feedback in Taylor

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Taylor is seeking feedback from Treaty 8 First Nations as it works to create a meaningful land acknowledgement

In 2023, the District of Taylor established a select committee to create a land acknowledgement which recognized First Nations in the Peace River region. 

This acknowledgement, a priority for Mayor Brent Taillefer since being elected in 2022, is intended to be specific to Taylor and stated at the start of all meetings. 

During the council’s February 10th committee of the whole meeting, Councillor Desirae Graziano, the councillor appointed to the land acknowledgement committee, brought forward the statement workshopped by the committee since March 2024. 

“The District of Taylor recognizes with respect, the traditional and unceded territory of Treaty 8. We honour the deep connection to the land and water, where everyone’s rights are respected, and opportunities are available for all to thrive.” 

The committee sent the acknowledgement to different First Nations for feedback, as well as the Treaty 8 Tribal Association (T8TA). 

The association, with headquarters in Fort St. John, provides advisory services to Doig River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations. 

According to Graziano, T8TA stated they would include the acknowledgement in the agenda for a meeting on January 30th. 

Feedback was received from Doig River First Nation, with one individual recommending the acknowledgement instead read:

“The District of Taylor recognizes with respect, the traditional and unceded territory of the Dane-zaa people. We honour the deep connection to the lands and waters, where everyone’s rights are respected, and opportunities are available for all to thrive as promised in Treaty #8.”

Graziano said the committee has reached out to T8TA and would like to hear its views. 

“We’ve done this much work, we have feedback from one nation, which is great, and I appreciate that very much, but I would like to see more feedback,” Taillefer said. 

“And if that means going out to each of the Nations personally, then I’m good with that too.”

During the committee of the whole meeting, councillors expressed appreciation for both versions of the acknowledgement, especially the “extra wordage” of the second version. 

The council agreed the district will request to appear before T8TA at the next meeting as a delegation, and Taillefer and Graziano agreed to drive to the association’s office to seek feedback in person.