Photograph : iStock W I N T E R 2 0 1 4
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I
n June 2014, the media in B.C. and the rest of Canada
was full of the news that the Supreme Court of Canada
had granted Aboriginal title to more than 1,700
square kilometres of land in British Columbia to the
Tsilhqot'in First Nation.
The case focused on the claim by the Tsilhqot'in Nation
– six Aboriginal bands that include about 3,000 people – to
Aboriginal title over 4,400 square kilometres of land (0.18 per
cent of B.C.'s total area) to the south and west of Williams Lake
in the B.C. Interior.
The Supreme Court's unanimous 8–0 decision was greeted
with much joy by First Nations.
In an announcement, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, presi-
dent of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said, "It only took 150
years, but we look forward to a much brighter future. This,
without question, will establish a solid platform for genuine
reconciliation to take place in British Columbia."
Because the decision has implications for future economic
and resource development on First Nations' lands in the prov-
ince, the decision was met with uncertainty and even nervous-
ness in non-Aboriginal circles.
The
reality
of the
Tsilhqot'in
decision
THE SUPREME COURT
OF CANADA DECISION
HAS IMPORTANT – AND
POTENTIALLY POSITIVE –
IMPLICATIONS FOR B.C.
MINERAL EXPLORERS
By Peter Caulfield
