Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The federal government has settled five specific B.C. first nation land claims worth a total of $7 million, Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice announced Monday
The two largest settlements are with Skeechestn Band near Kamloops, which receives $4.8 million from Ottawa for failure by the Department of Indian Affairs to enforce a land improvement project by a private developer, and a railway trespass on its reserve.
Other settlements are with the first nations Oregon Jack Creek, southwest of Cache Creek, Osoyoos in the Okanagan, and Mamalilikulla Que Qwa Sotem on Vancouver Island.
These settlements are the fulfilment of an historic obligation, and will help to pave the way for sustainable prosperity in these communities," Prentice said in a speech in Vancouver.
The settlements came as Prentice addressed first nations leaders and members of the Business Council of B.C. to talk about a new specific claim settlement process proposed earlier this month.
It includes establishment of an independent tribunal, comprised of current and former judges, to provide a final decision on any claim that cannot reach a negotiated settlement.
Oregon Jack Creek was paid $500,000 for land it lost in the early 1900s due to railway construction in the Thompson region, while Osoyoos received $300,000 for construction by the regional district of a canal through the Okanagan reserve.
Mamalilikulla Que Qwa Sotem got $1.24 million for a reserve it gave up to another Campbell River area band in 1934, but never received compensation.
Ottawa proposes to spend $250 million a year in a revamped program, clearing a backlog of specific claims.
Prentice said some specific claims have been in dispute almost since Confederation and noted that B.C. has a greater proportion of outstanding specific claims -- 352 out of 800 -- than any other province in Canada.
Typically, it takes Ottawa seven to 10 years just to get a legal opinion when a claim is filed.
"It is in British Columbia that the backlogs are most significant and this is a sobering statistic that really has significant ramifications for all British Columbians."
First Nations Summit Grand Chief Edward John said in an interview that he is optimistic the new process will be more expedient.
"In and of itself, this process has not resolved a claim yet but the fact that you have an independent body takes away some of the power and authority from the Department of Indian Affairs in processing claims, so this is a welcome step," John said.
Grand Chief Ken Malloway chair of the B.C. Specific Claims Committee, said it would make sense to establish in B.C. a judicial office to settle outstanding claims rather than centralizing the new system in Ottawa.
Mining Association of B.C. president Michael McPhie said in an interview he was surprised by the length of time it takes to get a specific claim decided.