With respect to the
Tsilhqot'in decision, do you
have a message to resource
companies about chang-
ing their approach to First
Nations?
I was a regional chief when
the Tsilhqot'in decision was
rendered. What it spoke to was
that aboriginal title exists, and
there is a fundamental need to
reconcile that. Our government
has made that commitment.
There is an opportunity for me
to work with Carolyn Bennett
[indigenous affairs minister]
and ministers responsible for
natural resource development
so that the relationship with
indigenous people is substan-
tively addressed and engaged
when decisions are being made
in their territory.
Marijuana—and the promise
to legalize it—is an issue that
may cause you headaches in
your new role. Any idea how
legalization might affect the
B.C. economy?
Marijuana is a commitment we
made—and I, along with my
colleagues, will ensure that we
put in place a substantive and
smart regulatory framework.
[Legalization] will definitely
have an impact in B.C., perhaps
more than in any other part of
Canada. It was an issue brought
up by many people at the door-
step during the campaign.
The prime minister has not
designated a "B.C. minister"
to bring B.C. concerns to the
table. So how will these deci-
sions be made?
We are a cabinet-driven gov-
ernment. We are committed
to working collaboratively to
ensure that decisions are taken
in a way that embraces and
supports consensus. We are not
taking a hierarchical approach.
Why did you decide to get
involved in politics, and why
the Liberals?
My desire stemmed from the
time I was regional chief and we
had an opportunity to pres-
ent thoughtful solutions to the
prime minister. I found that my
voice and the voices of the peo-
ple I represented were not being
heard. I'd met Justin Trudeau,
and the approach and values of
our now Prime Minister underlie
the party and our government.
I will continue to embrace these
values in whatever is left in my
political career.
So maybe your dad was right
all along about your becoming
prime minister one day.
I have a great deal of respect for
my father. I think his comments
back in 1983 were reflective of
how proud he was of both my
sister and me. And maybe he
knew something that I didn't.
•
Q When she was
eight years old,
Wilson-Raybould
was bestowed
the name
by her grandmother
during a naming
potlach. It means
"woman born of
noble people," and
Wilson-Raybould
uses it as her
Twitter handle
W Number of
treaties ratified
during Wilson-
Raybould's seven
years with the B.C.
Treaty Commission:
Puglaas
& Tsawwassen
2
*
*Nuu-chah-nulth
Corporation of Delta.indd 1 2015-11-13 9:48 AM
