The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and hiwus Warren Paullof shíshálh Nation, announced that Bill S-10, which modernizes Canada's recognition of shishalh Nation self-governance, received Royal Assent in Parliament on June 23, 2022.
This legislation, both symbolically and in real terms, transforms the relationship between Canada and the shíshálh Nation. The Bill updates the 1986 Act, removing the anglicized name and transitioning to the shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act.
Other changes include:
- Aligning the Self-Government Act with the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
- removing outdated oversight provisions that are not required under modern self-government arrangements,
- confirming law-making powers over social and welfare services, including child and family services for all shíshálh Nation members, and
- allowing for the establishment of a new land registry for the registration of interests in shíshálh lands, as an alternative to the Indian Act Reserve Land Register.
Canada is committed to working with Indigenous partners to implement their inherent right to self-determination and support their visions of a better future for their communities.
This legislation will build on the work of the shíshálh Nation to support them in achieving their inspiring visions of a better future for their citizens. This represents another important step forward to renew our Nation-to-Nation relationship and self-determination of the shishalh Nation.
