The First Nations Summit is sending congratulations to Tl’azt’en Grand Chief Edward John, a longstanding member of the First Nations Summit political executive and recognized B.C. First Nations leader, who received a 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Award (Politics) February 24, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.
“We congratulate Chief John on this well-deserved honour. He is a highly respected leader who has dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of social and economic justice for Indigenous people at the local, provincial, national and international levels”, said Chief Doug White, a member of the summit’s political executive.
“Chief John’s impact on the First Nations political landscape has been significant. He has consistently stepped out in a leadership role to fight and advocate for the recognition and protection of our rights and title as well as to close the social and economic gaps faced by our communities”, said Dan Smith, also a member of the summit’s political executive. “Chief John has been at the forefront of First Nations politics for decades. Whether through his leadership in helping to establish the process for treaty negotiations in BC or his involvement in the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, he has always fought to better the lives of aboriginal people.”
Grand Chief Edward John, a Hereditary Chief of Tl’azt’en Nation located in Northern BC, has been a lawyer for more than 30 years. He holds a B.A. from the University of Victoria, an LL.B from the University of British Columbia and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia. He is currently serving his ninth consecutive term as an elected member of the First Nations Summit political executive. He is also in the second year of a three year term as the North American Representative to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).