Tseshaht Chief Councillor Cynthia Dick has been appointed to the Port Alberni Port Authority.
She was named the provincial appointee to the board after the retirement of Ucluelet Mayor Diane St.Jacques.
Dick says this is part of a long-awaited era in government to government relations.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Dick. “Both the Federal and provincial governments have made a point to build a government to government relationship with First Nations people built on the recognition of rights, co-operation, respect and partnership.”
Dick credited Mid-Island Pacific Rim MLA and Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser for the appointment, and is hopeful other government agencies will see the Port Alberni Port Authority as an example.
Dick is one of seven directors on the Port Authority, including Huu-ay-aht Hereditary Chief Jeff Cook.