While these two neighbours havenB次元官网网址檛 always been the best of friends, thatB次元官网网址檚 certainly changed in recent years.
In the wake of what many called a historic land deal earlier this year, the District of Metchosin and Beecher Bay First Nation will celebrate their Aboriginal Day and their continued friendship Wednesday evening.
The Reconciliation Celebration is a sign that any neighbourly disputes of the past are well in the rear view mirror, and both municipalities are eager to celebrate together according to Metchosin Coun. Loralea Milne.
The new-found relationship between the two municipalities began late last decade according to Milne, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2010.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had ongoing discussions with them over a number of years, culminating in the land transfer,B次元官网网址� she said, referring to the deal that also included the City of Langford. B次元官网网址淲e decided that this would be the perfect time for our two communities to get together and to celebrate all that has happened with us in the last seven or eight years.B次元官网网址�
Milne says that the shift towards an amicable relationship happened when the District and Beecher Bay reached out to each other as friends and as neighbours rather than as governments.
B次元官网网址淚n more of a casual way than as a strictly formal protocol-driven way. It fits really well with the way that Metchosin council works and the way that Beecher Bay council works,B次元官网网址� she noted.
B次元官网网址淭he [land deal] couldnB次元官网网址檛 have happened unless weB次元官网网址檇 built this relationship over the years.B次元官网网址�
Milne also points to a joint council meeting just prior to MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 on the land swap as a watershed moment for the friendship, which saw many Metchosinites show support for the Nation.
B次元官网网址淥ur residents really did buy into this whole new relationship,B次元官网网址� she said.
Storytelling, Elder Witnessing, performances from school children and kids activities will highlight the event, which also features a salmon barbecue. The communities will also exchange official flags, which Milne says is possibly a first for Canada, as neither the province or the federal government has been able to answer any questions about protocol.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e breaking new ground in a lot of ways here,B次元官网网址� she said.
Beecher Bay was unavailable for comment before the 骋补锄别迟迟别B次元官网网址檚 press deadline.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
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