A Message from SIIA Contractor Doug Hughes
As warmer days signal the arrival of spring in the Coast Salish Traditional Territories, I have taken time to review my life journey and have decided now is the time to leave SIIA. The COVID epidemic has been hard on all of us and like many of you I have lost family and dear friends over the past three years. When I was recruited to SIIA three years ago I had been retired for a couple of years and I indicated that I was only interested in working for a few years. I wanted to be able to get back to spending more time with family and to travel.
I believe SIIA is in a good place now organizationally with most of the team members representing local First Nations communities. Much needed community consultation is starting to happen to confirm the Legislation and the service delivery structure of SIIA as the local communities exercise jurisdiction over their children, youth, and families. I have been especially honoured to be a witness to the SIIA Aunties Group during discussions on cultural knowledge and ceremonies on raising children.
Work is well underway to develop a draft legal framework to guide the development of the South Island Child and Family legislation. While much still needs to be done on the legislation, the initial steps are underway with the help of Woodward and Company, our lawyers, and through our partnership with the University of Victoria Indigenous Law Unit.
As I leave, I would like to acknowledge the Board of Directors of SIIA and the SIIA staff, who welcomed me into this very important work and took the time to educate me on the traditions and customs in these territories. I especially would like to recognize the Board Speaker (Chair) Bruce Underwood for his teachings over the past several years. SIIA is in good hands and on a good path.
All the best, and Hysh’ka Siem.
Doug Hughes
