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SUMMARY:First Nations as Partners: Essential Lessons During Turbulent Politics
DESCRIPTION:Reconciliation is the ongoing constitutional process of reconciling the prior presence and rights of Indigenous Peoples with Canada’s assertion of sovereignty. It is grounded in the honour of the Crown and aims for a just and lasting relationship. Advancing that work is increasingly difficult\, given tensions and uncertainty around land rights and governance\, as well as the growing anti-Indigenous racism and organized misinformation moving from the margins into the mainstream. There has never been a more important time to commit to practical\, deeply relational pathways toward reconciliation and to walk alongside others striving to do the same. \nTALK DESCRIPTION: \nAs former elected leaders of two First Nations in Metro Vancouver\, Charlene Aleck and Khelsilem bring hard-won insight into how Indigenous and municipal leaders find common purpose. Both served semi-urban Nations and carried significant responsibilities working across jurisdictions on major projects that benefit entire regions. \nThis session asks a timely question: How do we hold ground on reconciliation and redress when social media pile-ons and fear-driven headlines\, including recent coverage of the Cowichan decision\, make the work harder? Charlene and Khelsilem will share stories from their service on the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Task Force\, which worked alongside the Musqueam\, Squamish\, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to develop the City’s UNDRIP Strategy and Action Plan. \nSession 1 of our Walking Together Chapter is a focused one-hour gathering with an interview portion and small group discussion. You’ll leave with practical tips for working with First Nations\, especially in politically charged moments. \n\nFirst Session Speaker Bios: \nCharlene Aleck (Ts’simtelot) is a Granddaughter of Chief Dan George. She is a former three-term elected Councilor for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and a spokesperson for the TWN Sacred Trust Initiative. She is a mother and grandmother and has extensive experience serving on boards and working groups across First Nations and municipal jurisdictional divisions to build common ground. This includes serving on the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Task Force that worked with the Musqueam\, Squamish\, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to develop the City’s UNDRIP Strategy and UNDRIP Action Plan.  As a child\, she played Sarah Jim on the CBC program ‘Beachcombers’. She is dedicated to the protection and restoration of the land and water her people have been the stewards of since time immemorial. Charlene is an Associate with Voor Urban Labs. Photo by Duncan McCue.\n \nKhelsilem is the former Chairperson of the Squamish Nation. First elected to Council in 2017\, he served as  Spokesperson and led Nation-building workacross housing\, governance\, and intergovernmental relations. This included founding a non-profit now delivering 1\,000 subsidized homes and advancing the 6\,000-unit Sen̓áḵw development on Squamish lands\, the largest Indigenous housing project in Canadian history. His work has long centred on progressive change: climate justice\, social democracy\, and housing affordability. He is studying for his Master of Public Administration at the University of Victoria integrating their service experience with broader theoretical underpinnings. A vocal advocate for democratic reform and good governance\, Khelsilem brings experience working across jurisdictions and has served on the boards of Vancity\, the New Relationship Trust\, and the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Task Force.
URL:https://climatecaucus.ca/event/first-nations-as-partners-essential-lessons-during-turbulent-politics/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Walking Together Chapter
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://climatecaucus.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/The-Best-Things-To-Do-In-Squamish-BC-Natural-Paradise-1080x675-1.jpg
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