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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

ADAM OLSEN -- British Columbians are uncomfortable with the dysfunctional relationships that we see once again playing out in the Wet'suwet'en territory



The episode of The Public Circle Podcast, “Conversation About Indigenous Relations in BC” featured a discussion I had with John Juricic, and Kelly Darwin, for their podcast Northern Conversations. I am re-publishing it here. 

There is a great deal of confusion with respect to the current state of Indigenous relations in British Columbia. There is even less understanding of how we got here.

This has not been helped by the willingness of the provincial government to wrap themselves in the glory of being the first jurisdiction to pass the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, while failing to honour the complexity of the situation and continuing to over-simplify it in the public sphere.

British Columbians are uncomfortable with the dysfunctional relationships that we see once again playing out, in the Wet'suwet'en territory, as part of the colonial legacy of our province and country.

Who is responsible for the fact that fully armed RCMP officers are once again removing Indigenous peoples from their territory?

Is it the fault of Indigenous people who can't get along? Or, is it the fault of the federal and provincial governments who created the conditions for the confusion?

In this frank discussion we address these question (and many more) and hopefully create a starting point for unpacking the complexity of the challenges we face.


Adam Olsen is the BC Green Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands, and currently the interim leader for the BC Greens.
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