Representatives from 12 of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations held a brief meeting with the Prime Minister over the weekend.
The meeting was hosted by the Tlao-qui-aht First Nation at their Tin Wis Resort near Tofino, despite their announcement last year that Justin Trudeau would not be welcomed in their territory.
At issue is a decade-long legal battle over the Nuu-chah-nulth’s right to sell fish and seafood harvested in their territories – a right that has been upheld by the court, but appealed by the federal Conservative, now the Liberal government.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president Deb Foxcroft said the Prime Minister listened to their concerns and promised to respond.
The meeting was the first time a sitting Prime Minister has collectively met with the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in their territory.