The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council executive, President Debra Foxcroft and Vice President Ken Watts, presented First Nations Summit Task Force member Ed John with a traditional rattle in recognition of his hard work on behalf of Indigenous people over the years.
Watts took the opportunity to publicly apologize to John for questioning the need for the travel he did over the years to take part in dialogue and negotiations at the United Nations, saying that the work resulted in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is now an integral part of the Canadian/Indigenous relationship moving forward.
Watts felt the rattle was appropriate, because it belonged to his late father George, who once occupied the same position as Ed John at the UN permanent forum on Indigenous issues, North American representative.
John accepted that apology.
