The MLA elected to represent the area covering most Nuu-chah-nulth territories in the provincial legislature has been appointed Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.
Scott Fraser, who won the Mid-Island Pacific Rim riding in the spring election, was named to the position Tuesday, July 18 by B.C.’s newly sworn in Premier John Horgan. The NDP announced its cabinet on Tuesday, which includes 20 ministers, two ministers of state and six parliamentary secretaries.
The new government ends 16 years of Liberal rule, after the NDP and Green Party formed the narrow majority needed to oust Christy Clark. The NDP and Greens accomplished this through an agreement made in June.
“Tenuous though it may be, I think it’s a strong relationship with the Greens,” said Fraser in an interview with the Ha shilth Sa in June. “The accord is one based on trust.”
This will be Fraser’s fourth consecutive term in the legislature after a convincing win in the provincial election on May 9 by almost 6,000 votes. The NDP’s Clare Trevena claimed Vancouver Island North, which includes Nootka Sound and Nuu-chah-nulth territories north of there. Trevena has been named Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“Nuu-chah-nulth were urging me to win,” recalled Fraser. “They said it’s time for a change.”
Fraser formerly served as the Opposition Spokesperson for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. He admitted that connecting with all of B.C.’s aboriginal communities has been a challenge.
“There’s 203 Nations in the province, [and] I’ve been the spokesperson for the Opposition for most of my 12 years,” Fraser said. “I have yet to visit all the Nations in the province, it’s tough.”
With respect to aboriginal relations, the NDP have formed government at a critical time in the province’s history. Both the NDP and Greens will be tasked to fulfill election pledges to follow the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. These tenets include reducing the number of aboriginal children in care and eliminating the over-representation of Indigenous people in custody. The NDP election platform also included adopting the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
As she oversaw the ceremony to swear in the new government Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon commented on the importance of the province progressing relations with Indigenous peoples.
“This year we must take reconciliation one step further,” she said.
