Chilliwack – On March 1, The Conservative Party of British Columbia announced their candidate for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, Stó:lō Nation Member, Á’a:líya (A’aliya) Warbus. Á’a:líya (A’aliya) is a member of the Skowkale First Nation situated in the traditional lands of the Stó:lō people.
From the media release: Á’a:líya (A’aliya) has deep family roots in politics and activism, as the daughter of Former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Steven Lewis Point, OC OBC (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl). Point (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) served as tribal chair of the Stó:lō Nation and Grand Chief of Stó:lō Tribal Council, the chiefs’ representative for the Stó:lō Nation Government House, and Chief Commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission.
Á’a:líya (A’aliya) works as Director of Cultural Communications at Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Government and is a Professor teaching in the Indigenous Digital Film department at Capilano University. She is also a renowned filmmaker, podcast host, actor, and musician with an extensive collection of multi-disciplinary art which has screened or been shared at many film and music festivals, community events, and exhibits since 2005.
Á’a:líya (A’aliya) Warbus is running with the Conservative Party of British Columbia to fight for all British Columbians in her riding of Chilliwack Cultus-Lake. She is particularly passionate about the issue of addictions and recovery.
“I’m running with the Conservatives because John (Rustad) will end broken NDP policies like the so-called “safe-supply” of opioids. Instead of fighting for prevention and rehabilitation, this Eby NDP government is pushing these addictive drugs on both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. This is a genocide of our most vulnerable — it has to end,” says Warbus.
Á’a:líya (A’aliya) is a proud mother, wife, daughter, and granddaughter with 3 children ages 13, 11, and 3 with extensive ties in Coast Salish Territory. Her family lives together in the riding of Chilliwack Cultus-Lake, on the traditional territories of her Stó:lō peoples.
“I’m incredibly proud that Á’a:líya (A’aliya) is putting her name forward, as a candidate for the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Our Conservative team is united not by dogma and ideology, but rather on principles and a commitment to doing right by everyday working people — we are honoured to have Á’a:líya (A’aliya) joining our team,” says Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader, MLA John Rustad.
