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The six bands of the Tsilhqot’in British Columbia First Nation, with approximately 3,000 people, obtained in 2014 the right to manage a territory of more than 1,750 square kilometers, located near Williams Lake and Alexis Creek.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Darryl Dyck
Published yesterday at 8:37 p.m. EDT
British Columbia’s Minister of Indigenous Relations Murray Rankin said it was “truly extraordinary” to be on Tsilhqot’in First Nation territory to mark the 10th anniversary of a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision.
The Tsilhqot’in, who represent six First Nations communities with a shared culture and history, are the only Indigenous group to have had their Aboriginal title to a specific territory recognized by Canada’s highest court.
Mr. Rankin was joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Federal Minister of Indigenous Affairs Gary Anandasangaree and First Nations leaders in the Nemaiah Valley, British Columbia, to celebrate the ruling.
Important step towards decolonization
Mr. Anandasangaree described the Supreme Court’s decision against the Tsilhqot’in as milestone
which marks a important step towards decolonization
.
Having Aboriginal title means that the First Nation officially owns the territory and the province must justify any economic development on its land and respect constitutional boundaries.
Companies that covet wealth on territories claimed by Indigenous people will be able to conclude agreements with them. But failing to achieve this, the authorities who defend such a project will have to prove that it meets a real and compelling need
and that it is therefore in the public interest that it sees the light of day.
With information from The Canadian Press
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