The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) is honouring former Premier John Horgan for his life of service, and his leadership in championing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, upon news of his passing earlier this week.
"Under former Premier Horgan, the Government of British Columbia demonstrated a commitment to the relationship with Indigenous peoples without precedent in the history of the province," stated the TNG in a press release.
“John was a true leader, the rare kind, dedicated to serving others and building a better world. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye. But he was committed to the relationship and working through the issues and he stood on his values and principles, which we always respected,” said Nits’il?in (Chief) Joe Alphonse, tribal chair Tŝilhqot’in National Government, in the release.
TNG credits this approach to Horgan’s own personal integrity and value-driven leadership, which they said unlocked the potential of working in partnership with First Nations, rather than in constant conflict.
They said this approach yielded the ground-breaking Gwets’en Nilt'i Pathway Agreement between British Columbia, Canada and the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in 2019, renewed on June 26 of this year, on the 10-year anniversary of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation judgment from the Supreme Court of Canada.
In the release, TNG offered prayers to the family and friends of John Horgan, stating they had gratitude for his leadership, his great spirit and his vision of a better, more equitable province for all.
"John spent three days with us on title lands near the end of his tenure as premier, and it deepened our appreciation of the good man behind the great leader. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family – he will be missed but his legacy will live on," said Alphonse.
