Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc

While only half of British Columbians are in favour of economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, close to two thirds have positive opinions about reconciliation in general, according to a recent survey.

Generally, there is a consensus among BC residents that a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada is a positive thing, with 65% of participants agreeing, a Research Co. media release said. 

Those surveyed said they are less sure when it came to Indigenous self-governance. Only half said that negotiations to establish Indigenous laws that would work alongside federal and provincial law would be a good idea. The rest, were less than convinced. 

A third of said they felt negatively about Indigenous self-governance and close to half of those who shared this opinion also had aligning political views and voted for the BC Liberals in the last election in 2020.

Economic reconciliation was another sticky topic. The process of making economic amends for historical injustices was appealing to exactly half of the province’s residents. Meanwhile, it put a bad taste in the mouths of 38% of those who participated in the survey while 13% were undecided.

“Almost three-in-five British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (59%) favour economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” Mario Canseco, President of Research Co., said in the release. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (49%) and aged 55 and over (43%).”

More than half of residents agree that Indigenous communities across BC should be able to decide if natural resources and housing projects can be established on their territories, and a similar percentage support the concept of increasing Indigenous representation on the boards of directors.

People were less sure when it came to establishing a specific number of Indigenous candidates for government positions. More than half of 18 to 34-year-olds support the idea of meeting Indigenous quotas for the provincial Legislative Assembly office, but the idea is less popular for more than half of those 55 and older who moderately or strongly oppose the idea.

There was a divide when it came to Indigenous education.

While the majority agree that resources and education opportunities for Indigenous people should be promoted across the province, one quarter disagree.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Georgina Whitehouse or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

News from © iNFOnews, 2023