I am concerned about the…

I am concerned about the powers to exempt projects from archaeological assessments in favour of expediting provincial economic priorities. Identified burial grounds and residential school sites may still have some protections, but I wonder about what will be lost in rush to develop projects as indigenous rights to consultation and respect for their knowledge of historic land uses and settlement. Truth and Reconciliation efforts are still in infancy and our paths forward must be done carefully or just seen to be more colonial exploitation that will destroy any possible trust in government priorities. We acknowledge the stewardship of indigenous people, but do we demonstrate genuine respect for their sovereignty and knowledge of the land?