The Nuchatlaht First Nation on Vancouver Island’s west coast has won a landmark legal case asserting Aboriginal title to part of its traditional territory on Nootka Island.
“We are celebrating this victory and looking ahead for the future of our nation. There is still much that needs to be done to restore our land and heal our people,” said Tyee Ha’wiih Chief Jordan Michael. The decision gives the nation the authority to decide what to do with the land and benefit economically from its use, he said. The land’s value has been estimated at between $28 million and $280 million.The ruling sets a precedent that says Aboriginal title exists in B.C. “and it’s worth going after,” Stewart said.
The decision rendered last week identifies those areas where the court determined the nation has Aboriginal title as the northwest corner of the claim area. The ruling will likely have ripple effects for other nations interested in asserting Aboriginal title to their land, said Torrance Coste, associate director for the Wilderness Committee, one of many organizations that has been supporting the nation since the beginning of the case.
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