Saturday April 15, 2023 | VANCOUVER, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Quite an impressive speaker lineup of speakers today officially addressed the success Five First Nations reaching a settlement on Treaty Land Entitlement claims with British Columbia and the federal government.
Gathering in Vancouver at the PanPacific Hotel, the one-hour event encompassed:
- Blueberry River First Nations
- Doig River First Nation
- Halfway River First Nation
- Saulteau First Nations
- West Moberly First Nations
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Office of the Premier
- Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The settlements resolve long-standing claims that these First Nations did not receive all the lands owed to them under Treaty 8, which they signed in 1899. Today that area of Crown land transferred to the First Nations was noted as 109,385 acres (44,266 hectares), or the size of Vancouver and Surrey combined. In addition to that, monetary compensation of $800 million comes from the Government of Canada
The settlements were announced 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; along with Marc Miller, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; B.C. Premier David Eby; and Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
“We are seeing more alignment between government and First Nation in this country,” said Judy Desjarlais, Chief of Blueberry River First Nations. “We’re seeing real action.”
BC Premier David Eby was thanked by First Nations leadership for his “steadfastness” and his “courage to not appeal the Blueberry case”, calling it “an even-handed approach” and “quite impressive”. As well as Eby’s work as the former BC Attorney General, recognition was given to now Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Murray Rankin for their availability and commitment to the process.
As well, former Premier John Horgan was acknowledged: “He promised us our voices would be heard. This government is different,” said Justin Napoleon, Chief of Saulteau First Nations.
Honouring Treaty and legal obligations to First Nations and working collaboratively to renew relationships are fundamental to addressing historical wrongs and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. These settlements will also create economic and business opportunities for the entire northeastern region of British Columbia.
For more than 100 years, the First Nations were deprived of the use and benefit of thousands of acres of land owed to them under Treaty 8, while the resources on and under those lands were taken and developed by others. Under the settlement agreements, Canada will provide the First Nations compensation for these losses and costs relating to the claims.
As a result of all this, the emotions and words expressed in remarks today covered the range of relief, grief, joy, acknowledgement, peace, gratitude and anticipation.
In a related agreement, the Province of Alberta has also agreed to provide an amount of land to the Doig River First Nation in that province.
The resolution of these Treaty Land Entitlement claims is the result of the dedicated effort by the Chiefs, Councils, communities and negotiators since 2004. These Treaty Land Entitlement settlement agreements demonstrate the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to advancing reconciliation – one that shows commitment to build trust, acknowledges and respects the Treaty relationship, and helps build a better future for all Canadians.