In a B.C. first, a government-owned cannabis store has opened on land under the jurisdiction of a First Nation – a landmark achieved in part because shíshálh Nation can operate as a municipality, says hiwus (Chief) Warren Paull.
In an interview outside the store the day before the April 20 opening at Tsain-Ko Village Shopping Centre, Paull told Coast Reporter of the milestone, “It’s a great piece to show … being the only self-governing nation that has municipal status, where we can land, and how quickly we can land there.”
Established by Bill 4 in 1987, a year after the nation became self-governing, the Sechelt Indian Government District (SIGD) operates as a local government, levying taxes, rendering services such as fire protection, road maintenance and garbage collection, and participating as a Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) voting member.
Like other municipalities, the SIGD also has the authority to enact bylaws, including for business licensing.
The advantage of assuming municipal powers was recognized in the 1980s, when self-government negotiations were underway, said Paull. “We knew we were going to be having conversations, and we were actually going to be in direct competition with neighbouring municipalities, [so] how did we want to approach that? Part of it was through the municipal structure that we adopted,” he said.
That municipal structure provides certainty for businesses and the nation. “It gives comfort to businesses,” said Paull. “You go across the street and set up in the District of Sechelt or the Town of Gibsons or anywhere else, there’s no difference… Everything is straightforward and clear.”
That clarity was apparent in a response from Tyson Muzzillo, regional manager of cannabis operations for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB), when asked at the opening ceremony about the decision to operate out of the nation’s Tsain-Ko Village Shopping Centre.
“When we look at any municipality… we work with the city to find a location that falls into their guidelines, boundaries and restrictions,” said Muzzillo, who said the BCLDB was attracted to the Sechelt area, specifically.
“Tsain-ko was building this development, and so we went through the application process and sought approval from the nation,” he said. “That’s how we landed here.”
Membership support
While the lion’s share of shíshálh Nation members support the opening of BC Cannabis, Paull acknowledged some members would prefer to see the nation spark up its own operation.
“The mall was being built and once you hire a contractor to do something, you pretty much have to live up to your contract, and unfortunately none of the members could put a package together fast enough to do the necessary work. That being said, this isn’t the only piece of property we own,” said Paull.
A committee is being established to determine how to fast-track such an endeavour, and both the province and federal government have indicated, “they’re more than happy to sit down with us and figure this out.”
“Right now under provincial law, you can only sell to the Crown corporation, and they distribute. We don’t want that,” he said.
In 2017, band council helped clear the way for a nation-owned and operated cannabis production and retail business when they adopted an amendment to exempt the production, supply, possession and sale of cannabis and liquor from its Prohibition of Intoxicants Law.
And as far as opening a store during the pandemic goes – this is the Nation’s third at the shopping centre as it continues with the third phase of its expansion – Paull said the proprietors are holding their own.
“Can we do better? Of course we can. Unfortunately, I don’t want people to come up here and visit us just yet. When everybody gets their jab in the arm, their second jab in the arm and it’s relatively safe to do so, then I welcome them with open arms.”
