Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. First Nation writes its own declaration of title rights and strategy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Oct, 2015 12:10 PM

    BELLA BELLA, B.C. — A First Nation on British Columbia's central coast is not waiting for the provincial and federal governments to draft a reconciliation agreement.

    The Heiltsuk Nation has written and signed its own declaration, setting out what it says is a new mandate for a relationship within Canada.

    Hereditary Chief Harvey Humchitt says the First Nation has been collaborating with industry and senior governments on planning and economic opportunities, but without much progress on resource management decisions within its territories.

    Chief Marilyn Slett says existing agreements will be honoured but the new approach will build a government-to-government relationship between the Heiltsuk, B.C., and Canada.

    The First Nation relies on the Supreme Court of Canada's 2014 Tsilhqot'in decision, that it says found a declaration of aboriginal title could be obtained through a negotiated agreement, or by court declaration.

    Heiltsuk hereditary chiefs and elected leaders say as the sovereign authority over more than 35,000 square kilometres of the central coast, the First Nation has the right to control, manage and benefit from territorial resources.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Scotiabank Tells Employees That Some Regional Processing Offices To Close

    Scotiabank Tells Employees That Some Regional Processing Offices To Close
    The bank says it will open two new hubs in the Toronto area with more advanced technology to handle those tasks.

    Scotiabank Tells Employees That Some Regional Processing Offices To Close

    Oldest Athlete In Seniors Games: Javelin Thrower Florence Storch Dies At 102

    A feisty Alberta centenarian who made headlines for competing in javelin events has died. Florence Storch was 102.

    Oldest Athlete In Seniors Games: Javelin Thrower Florence Storch Dies At 102

    Former Vernon Mountie Will Fight Child Porn Conviction And Sentence

    Former Vernon Mountie Will Fight Child Porn Conviction And Sentence
    The lawyer for Ryan Hampton has confirmed the appeal, but Jason Tarnow says he will not be representing the former member of the Vernon detachment.

    Former Vernon Mountie Will Fight Child Porn Conviction And Sentence

    Christmas Comes Early: Ontario Town Prepares For Terminally Ill Boy's Final Christmas

    Christmas Comes Early: Ontario Town Prepares For Terminally Ill Boy's Final Christmas
    The parade in St. George, Ont., is part of Evan Leversage's bucket list.

    Christmas Comes Early: Ontario Town Prepares For Terminally Ill Boy's Final Christmas

    New Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Grooves To Bhangra Beats

    New Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Grooves To Bhangra Beats
    A video uploaded on Tuesday shows the Liberal party leader, donning a desi white kurta-pyjama, dancing to the catchy beats of Hadippa - the breakout theme song from the 2009 Bollywood film “Dil Bole Hadippa!"

    New Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Grooves To Bhangra Beats

    SFU Study Says Fewer Teens Texting While Driving Because Of Danger, Fines

    SFU Study Says Fewer Teens Texting While Driving Because Of Danger, Fines
     A new study suggests teenagers are texting less while driving, in large part because they think it's dangerous and irresponsible.

    SFU Study Says Fewer Teens Texting While Driving Because Of Danger, Fines