The Sechelt Nation will be fighting for land rights and title and supporting their youth under the direction of re-elected chief Garry Feschuk and councillors Jordan Louie, Keith Julius, Jessie August and Joyce Joe.
The new chief and council were officially sworn in at an inaugural ceremony at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall April 1, marking the sixth term of office for Feschuk.
He thanked the outgoing council for their dedication and hard work during the last three-year term, as well as the councils before them that have worked toward common goals.
"A lot of the foundation has been set. What [the previous councils] have done is they've made it easier to keep moving forward," Feschuk said. "I know we are in a struggle. We're in a struggle with the government right now, but in the end, I believe we're going to win because we're not going anywhere. We're not going anywhere because we have such strong commitment and pride in our community, who we are and where we come from."
He then turned to the incoming council, warning them of long workdays and restless nights, and asking them not to get stuck debating issues that need action.
"I go back to what one of the elders told me: 'you can't get focused just on the issue because we all know what the issues are and we put you all here to do something about it.' That's what we have to focus on.
"We were put here to do something about it, to keep moving our community forward," Feschuk said.
One of those issues that need action, he said, is creating a space for Sechelt Nation youth to congregate and have fun.
"It was the youth who stood in front of our council at a general meeting and gave us a petition that they wanted a community centre. It wasn't the adults, it wasn't the council, it was the youth who stood before us and told us we have to get that community centre. We're that close to getting it and I'm hoping that this council will bring it to fruition so our youth will have a place to go every single night," Feschuk said, noting he sees upwards of 40 youth attend gym nights when he supervises once a week.
However, the first order of business for the new council will be to speak with the government about the Sechelt Nation's land claim.
"Our first priority is we're going to ask for a meeting with the new premier, because there are some issues that have to be resolved. If the minister won't meet with us we're going to go to Victoria until they open their door and meet with us. That's the perseverance of the Sechelt people we keep fighting until we get justice," Feschuk said.
Within the next few weeks, Feschuk and his council will also be meeting with the Band membership to hear their priorities for council this term. He said council will meet with the community as a whole and then have separate meetings with Band elders and Sechelt youth to find out what they want to see happen during this next three-year term of council.
He thanked the community for their support during the recent election and encouraged council and the community to work together as they move forward.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for putting that support to all of these people who are sitting here, because we have a large job ahead of us. But I believe if we do it unified, we can accomplish anything," he said.
