Acting Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Bill Yoachim (right) and interim BC Ferries CEO Jill Sharland shake hands after signing an agreement between their two parties to formalize working relations. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

historic agreement

‘We never got to the position we’re in today:’ Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC Ferries sign landmark agreement

Jul 28, 2022 | 5:07 PM

NANAIMO — It’s being billed as a path forward and a starting point for a better relationship.

A new agreement between Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) and BC Ferries is the first one of its kind for the ferry operator, and the latest in a line of documents to outline formal working relations with outside agencies for the First Nation.

Acting SFN chief Bill Yoachim told NanaimoNewsNOW the signing on Thursday, July 28 inside Snuneymuxw Council Chambers was a year in the making.

“Today’s more about not forgetting the dark chapter and historic wrongs, but it’s about not being stuck there and turning a page, going forward as a collective, as one with BC Ferries.”

The agreement outlines shared goals including assessing the impacts of ferry operations in Snuneymuxw territory, as well as better engaging with SFN on specific projects with the view of obtaining consent prior to work starting on their land.

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Yoachim said while there were not specifically outlined short-term targets to hit, the two sides are now at the table which didn’t exist before.

“Previous leaderships in Snuneymuxw’s history have always wanted to have this conversation. Nevertheless for numerous reasons, we never got to the position we’re in today.”

Signing of the agreement came after several Elders spoke at the event, sharing stories of their prior treatment on board ferry vessels.

Indigenous passengers were not allowed to leave the main car deck, except for brief bathroom trips, as recently as the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, with several of the Elders experiencing the discrimination first hand as children travelling with their parents.

It brought added context to the importance of the agreement for interim BC Ferries CEO Jill Sharland.

“It’s certainly saddens me and I’m sure all Canadians to hear some of those stories, but this agreement is all about a path forward of working together in a positive way and I’m very honoured to be participating in the signing of this agreement.”

Sharland put pen to paper on just her third day as interim CEO, following the firing of Mark Collins.

She added the company is open to discussing similar agreements with other First Nations who own territories elsewhere in the company’s service network.

Signing of the agreement comes just over six months after SFN Chief Mike Wyse lashed out at BC Ferries following the naming of two new ships to sail between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island.

The ships use Coast Salish words, but the terms do not originate from the Snuneymuxw language.

Wyse said the namings violated the human rights of SFN people and was a “racist and discriminatory path riddled with colonial acts.”

Sharland said this new framework could better address those concerns moving forward.

“There’s no plan on changing the names of the existing ones, but going forward and working together on the future vessels that will be coming into the territory, absolutely.”

The new agreement signed Thursday creates a framework for reconsiliation and partnership between BC Ferries and Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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