Exoneration Brings Promise of “A New Beginning”
TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse – photo 250 News
Quesnel, B.C. – Hundreds of people turned out to a ceremony commemorating the 150 year anniversary of the wrongful hanging of six Tsilhqot’in war chiefs in Quesnel this morning.
It happened on a patch of grass next to G.R. Baker Hospital on top of which five of the chiefs were buried (the other was buried in New Westminster) and came just days after the provincial government fully exonerated the chiefs who were hanged under false pretenses in so far as they thought they were arriving for a peace negotiation to help end the Chilcotin War.
NDP Leader John Horgan -photo 250 News
“This is huge for us. This is what it’s all about. What these guys accomplished has always represented the heart and soul of our nation,” said Tsilhqot’in Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse.
“These warriors had an effect on all of us. I’m just honoured to represent my community. The apology read in the legislature were powerful words. It’s a new beginning for us.”
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad spoke on behalf of Premier Christy Clark who was unable to attend due to being fogged in at Vancouver International Airport this morning.
“Today we stand at the crossroads of history. Many good things have happened here but there’s also difficult things we continue to grapple with.”
Rustad continued on by reading the apology read in the legislature this week and apologized on behalf of the Premier for not being there noting “this is really something that is very important for us as a province and she wanted to be here.”
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip was also present and spoke of the significance of the occasion.
“I think we need to embrace the notion of reconciliation. I’ve always said a rising tide carries all boats with respect to the economy of this province and this will go a long way to contributing to that agenda.”
NDP leader John Horgan was also present and said he was honoured to have the chance in the legislature to make comments on this historic event.
“I’m just very pleased to have been invited by Chief Alphonse and Chief William to come here and join them here today in this ceremony.”
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad – photo 250 News
Comments
We have to much going on now. If we keep hanging on to the mistakes of the past we will never see the future. What happened generations ago to people around the world by others was disgusting. My family is still waiting for the Romans to apologize for what happened to them in the 1800s don’t think that will happen, but we have moved on.
Ohhh you moved on eh… Alll the way to Canada….to put down the Canadians…
Wonder what the real motive behind the smoking gun? Could it be a side track to take the natives minds off of Mount Polley? Or is there something bigger?
I wouldn’t mind see an apology for the man who was found be-head on a reserve a couple years ago. Were is his body? Let’s deal with recent issues people.
Joe, should worry more about the kids on the street and those with no jobs and put some effort to help them. But that’s not who he is its about Joe and what Joe wants, not what the young need as support they will get very little from this so called leader
Stillsmokin.. i didn’t put down Canadians . I just stated facts. There where many injustices done towards my Metis relatives many many years ago but I don’t hold this generation accountable for them. It’s not fair to do that.
What about the 19 non aboriginals that were murdered during the so called “Chilcotin war” that was the reason for the chiefs being hanged?
One question. Does anyone remember the 14 road builders, the pack train men and the settler that were murdered in this so called war. Not many I bet!
Not so sure how it is wrong to hang 6 “war chiefs” who oversaw the murder of civilian people in a “war” that was obviously between the government of the day and a native nation. Murder is murder.
Food for thought and just this guys opinion.
Have a great day
What about the 19 non aboriginals that were murdered during the so called “Chilcotin war” that was the reason for the chiefs being hanged?
===================================================
Oh they were just whities. This ia just political garbul as has been suggested maybe to take the minds off more serious problems.
Cheers
Timeline of events around the Chilcoten war. CP news just next to the above artical on 250. Thisntells another story.
cheers
I’m sure my cousins wife brother twice removed grandfathers grandfather is very sorry for the governments action 150 years ago
Enough with the apologies
Not so sure how it is wrong to hang 6 “war chiefs” who oversaw the murder of civilian people in a “war”
Hadenuf >> all you have to do is read the story:
the provincial government fully exonerated the chiefs who were hanged under false pretenses in so far as they thought they were arriving for a peace negotiation to help end the Chilcotin War.
It’s not nice to call truce talks and then execute the delegation that comes to the talks…..
Nor is it nice to murder men in their sleep…..
War is war
They were protecting their land.. The Govt lied to them.. Guess its ok now for everyone to think it’s acceptable for Gov’ts to lie.. What about the women and children that was kidnapped??
20 civilians where murdered, yup that’s okay hey dude?
Twenty??? What about the Native population that was almost wiped out??? AND it’s spelled “were” not where
What a waste of time and money. Its 2014!
Stillsmokin, long before the “white” man wiped out any Native populations, the Native’s were busy wiping out other natives!
For example, “The Iroquois peoples have absorbed many others into their cultures, with families having a tradition of adopting war captives to replace their dead.”
Tsilhqot’in Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse refers to the 6 Chiefs as warriors. Warriors?? Numerous non-native civilians killed, 6 chiefs killed! Obviously not a very good situation for anyone involved, but there are usually casualties in “war”! Often the warriors are the casualties!
So, is an apology owing from Tsilhqot’in Tribal Chief Joe Alphonse for the death of non-native civilians, or do we just move on??
So Stillsmoking you are saying it was ok to kill those twenty? So sad.
Comments for this article are closed.