Two Independent MLAs have claimed that First Nations' unilateral assertions of sovereignty are threatening unity in British Columbia.Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong and her Vancouver-Quilchena colleague Dallas Brodie argued that such moves are "deepening racial conflict" and "undermining the principle of equality under the law" in the province."British Columbia simply cannot accommodate more than 200 sovereignties within its borders," the duo wrote in joint statement. "Would you fly a plane with over 200 pilots, each with their own controls?".Popular BC park closed to public to give First Nations time to 'connect with the land'.They pointed out that Wet'suwet'en chiefs blocked an LNG pipeline and kicked out workers, Haida leaders "tore down homes of law-abiding residents," and Líl̓wat and N'Quatqua bands closed Joffre Lakes to the non-indigenous public.."Canada must begin serving the interests of British Columbia — because right now, it isn't," Armstrong and Brodie continued. "Part of that involves securing our land base from both internal and external threats, so we can once again utilize our abundant energy and resources for the benefit of everyone."The duo noted that, "when British Columbia joined Canada in 1871, it saw no need to recognize Aboriginal title or sovereignty and resisted the creation of reserves for fear of excluding Indigenous people from public life," adding that they "hold a similar hope for our future — that all British Columbians will partake as equals in the province's future prosperity."Both Armstrong and Brodie have been critical of what they've referred to as the "reconciliation industry." They echoed those concerns in their statement, suggesting that while indigenous lifespans have fallen by six years since 2017 and the cost of living has soared, "billions of dollars have flowed from the public to lawyers, consultants, and chiefs, with zero accountability and disastrous results.".Armstrong and Brodie's statement came in response to a letter from the Penticton Indian Band, itself reacting to previous comments made by the duo. Chief and Council accused them of using "explicit racism, constitutional misrepresentations, and divisive rhetoric," and called for their immediate resignation. .The Band cited Section 35 of the Constitution Act — which recognizes and affirms Aboriginal treaty rights — as well as a number of Supreme Court rulings to make their case that "the land upon which British Columbia operates remains unceded and unsurrendered in most parts of the province."They urged the MLAs to think twice before "grouping indigenous self-determination with 'CCP influence,' 'equalization disparities,' and 'uncontrolled immigration'," warning that it "reinforces dangerous, racist narratives that have long been used to marginalize indigenous peoples and undermine our legitimacy."
