Tsilhqot'in Nation distance signs coming to Highway 20 and other B.C. roads

Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada, in a landmark ruling, recognized that the Tsilhqot'in Nation holds aboriginal title to 1,700 square kilometres of land in B.C.

As a result of the decision, the First Nation and the provincial government have agreed to erect distance signs that display the names of Tsilhqot'in communities in the Tsilhqot'in and English languages on Highway 20, Taseko Lake Road, West Fraser Road, and other roads.

"Today marks the first time in history that our Tsilhqot'in communities will be listed on any provincial signs in British Columbia. The symbolic significance of this action cannot be overlooked. Relationship building with the Province is an ongoing process, but the hope is to build an enduring relationship based on trust and respect. The mileage signs act as an indication of the positive steps the Province is taking towards reconciliation," Chief Joe Alphonse, tribal chair of the Tsilhqot'in National Government, stated in a joint news release.

Signs will also be put up in the Nemiah Valley and Tatlayoko Valley informing people when they are entering declared Tsilhqot'in title lands.

"The new boundary signs show a map of the land that is subject to the declaration of Aboriginal title. The declared Tsilhqot'in Title Lands are situated east of Tatlayoko Lake around the north end of Chilko Lake-including the Nemiah Valley, Tsuniah Lake and along the Chilko River to its confluence with the Taseko River," the release says.

The new Tsilhqot'in distance signs appear similar to those erected on the Sea to Sky Highway ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Those provide the names of communities in English as well as the languages of the Squamish Nation (Skwxwú7mesh) and Lil'wat Nation (St’at’ímcets).