Five First Nations reach historic $800 million, 44,266 hectares settlement with B.C., federal government | 24CA News
Five First Nations in B.C. have reached a historic settlement with each the provincial and federal governments of $800 million and 44,266 hectares of land.
The settlements resolve long-standing claims that the First Nations didn’t obtain all of the lands owed to them beneath Treaty 8, which they signed in 1899, authorities officers stated.
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The financial sum of $800 million was said by Canada’s Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller within the query interval.
“This was withheld for proactive reasons,” Miller stated. “There is extreme reticence in communities about the effect of a cash influx and the stigma that occurs with the perceived windfall this could be.”
“This is not a windfall, this is not free money. It is a bill that has gone unpaid for more than 100 years by the government of Canada. If there is any stigma and prejudice to be levelled on anyone it should be on the government of Canada and not on our treaty partners, whose obligations we’ve disrespected for 100 years.”
The settlements have been introduced Saturday by Judy Desjarlais, Chief of Blueberry River First Nations; Trevor Makadahay, Chief of Doig River First Nation; Darlene Hunter, Chief of Halfway River First Nation; Justin Napoleon, Chief of Saulteau First Nations; and Roland Willson, Chief of West Moberly First Nations, together with federal and provincial officers.
“This is a monumental day for the Blueberry River First Nations community, our Elders and the ancestors who came before us. This settlement is part of an ongoing process of recognition and healing from Blueberry’s long and difficult history of displacement and marginalization within our traditional territory,” stated Chief Judy Desjarlais.
According to the province, for greater than 100 years, these First Nations have been disadvantaged of the use and profit of those lands in B.C., which was owed to them beneath Treaty 8.
“Honouring Treaty 8 is a critical part of B.C.’s work to advance reconciliation in the Peace River area and reconnect these Nations with their land,” B.C. Premier David Eby stated. “By settling the Treaty Land Entitlement claims, we’re righting a historic injustice and restoring what was promised under Treaty. This is an important step that will provide greater predictability and economic opportunities for everyone in the region.”
Under the settlement agreements, Canada will present the First Nations compensation for these losses and prices regarding the claims, provincial workers stated.
The decision of those Treaty Land Entitlement claims is the results of the devoted effort by the Chiefs, Councils, communities and negotiators since 2004, based on the province.
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