Jody Wilson-Raybould is among 14 Outstanding British Columbians on Monday received the province’s highest honor for outstanding contributions to society.
The Order of British Columbia is often bestowed at the twilight of an illustrious career, but Wilson-Raybould, Canada’s first federal Indigenous justice minister and twice-elected regional chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations British, is just beginning to come into full swing as it continues to be a force for reconciliation in Canada.
A member of the We Wai Kai Nation, the former MP spoke with Canadian National Observer Tuesday as she basked in the sun on the porch of her family home in the village of Cape Nudge on Quadra Island.
“Hopefully it’s not the last third of my career,” Wilson-Raybould said with a laugh.
“It’s a great honor and pretty cool to be included in such a diverse group of people.”
The recognition of her work is the result of the support and contributions of many people and reflects the power of collective effort, she said.
This kind of collaboration across the country is a key ingredient for true reconciliation, she added.
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“Everyone has a role to play in changing our current reality and working towards an improved and better future.”
The focus of the 51-year-old lawyer’s career has been advancing Indigenous rights, addressing the legacy of Canada’s colonial past and leading efforts to rebuild First Nations governance.
While serving as regional chief, she focused on empowering indigenous peoples necessary practical measures realize the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights at the provincial and federal levels.
Jody Wilson-Raybould, recipient of the new #OrderofBC, is credited with advancing Indigenous rights, addressing the legacy of Canada’s colonial past, and spearheading efforts to rebuild the governance of First Nations. @Puglaas #bcpoli #reconciliation
As federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General, she spearheaded changes to laws and policies on medical assistance in dying (MAID), cannabis legalization, diversity in the justice system, and the recognition and the implementation of Indigenous rights.
Wilson-Raybould agreed that it is interesting, and perhaps significant, that the province recognizes someone known to hold the government to account.
“It is perhaps a recognition – especially at a time when we live in so much turmoil – that we all have a role to play in our democracy,” she said.
After emerging from the tumult of federal politics, Wilson-Raybould’s political memoirs and second book, Indian in the cabinetbecame a national 10 best sellers in 2021.
It details her re-election as an independent MP after she resigned from cabinet and was expelled from the Liberal caucus following the SNC-Lavalin scandal – which ended when the federal Ethics Commissioner concluded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had acted improperly in pressuring her to avoid pursuing a criminal case against the Montreal-based engineering firm with global reach.
Wilson-Raybould’s third book, True Reconciliation: how to be a force for changeshould be in print and should be out in early November, she said.
“It answers the question I’m most often asked by people from all walks of life across the country,” she said, “which is, ‘What can I do to move reconciliation forward?'”
The book details his experiences, his lessons and the teachings rooted in his community. Wilson-Raybould hopes it will spark discussion and progress on reconciliation for individuals, businesses or government by focusing on three practices: learn, understand and act.
Not all of the key elements were apparent during last week’s Canadian tour of Pope Francis to apologize for the role played by members of the Roman Catholic Church in residential schools, she said.
“I will never take anything away from residential school survivors or Indigenous people who found the Pope’s apology important,” Wilson-Raybould said.
“In all respects, if it was healing for them, then that’s important in itself.”
However, since many of Wilson-Raybould’s family members went to boarding schools, including her grandmother and family matriarch Ethel Pearson, the papal apologies on Canadian soil left her wanting. she said.
“I was thinking when I heard the Pope’s apology, what’s next?” she asked.
“Words are important… (but) actions matter much more.”
Political leaders have also issued apologies and steps towards reconciliation have taken place, she said.
But critical government-led changes to laws, policies and practices are still needed to advance genuine reconciliation.
“The action required to create transformative change has not happened,” she said.
“And that’s what I and so many others will continue to push for.”
two more Indigenous Women Leaders received the Order of British Columbia alongside Wilson-Raybould for the strength of their work on behalf of the province and First Nations.
Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir is recognized for her courage in leading the community of Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc through the discovery of over 200 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
As a representative of Le Estcwicwéý (Missing Children) and an advocate for justice, reconciliation and healing for First Nations, she has greatly increased public understanding in Canada and beyond of the enduring legacy of the system. boarding schools.
Kúkpi7 Casimir was part of the Indigenous delegation to the Vatican in March to discuss residential schools, prompting the pontiff’s first historic apology at the end of the group’s visit.
Dr. Nadine Rena Caron, the first Indigenous woman to become a general surgeon in Canada, has focused her distinguished medical career on improving the health of rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
She provides surgical oncology services at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George and holds the First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at Columbia University. -British (UBC).
Ms. Caron is also a professor at UBC’s Northern Medical Program and the Center for Excellence in Indigenous Health, which she co-founded and co-directs, and holds a faculty position at the Center for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. -United.
Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative / National Observer of Canada
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