A dispute is brewing over a 7.5 square kilometer plot of land on Lulu Island in Richmond, British Columbia (BC).<\/p>\n
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie stated, “Establishing Aboriginal title in an area where private land exists is unacceptable,” and added, “Many people still do not understand the situation, and some are very anxious.” The City of Richmond notified approximately 150 households expected to be affected that it would hold information sessions for landowners in the area in mid-October.<\/p>\n
The invitation for the session reportedly stated, “A court has declared that Aboriginal title exists over your land. This may affect the status and validity of your ownership.”<\/p>\n
The land in question, once used as a summer settlement by the Indigenous Cowichan people, is currently owned by the federal government, the British Columbia provincial government, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the City of Richmond, homeowners, and private businesses.<\/p>\n
In August of this year, after an 11-year legal battle, the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled that the Cowichan people have Aboriginal title to the land.<\/p>\n
In her ruling, Justice Barbara Young explained that “the granting of Aboriginal title does not evict (current) landowners.”<\/p>\n
David Rosenberg, the lead lawyer for the Cowichan people, also said at a September meeting of the Federation of BC Municipalities, “This lawsuit is not about private land ownership, but about the return of public land that the government has wrongfully taken,” and added, “This decision recognizes that Aboriginal title and private ownership can coexist.”<\/p>\n
The decision has been challenged by the City of Richmond, the British Columbia government, and other First Nations. The province and the Muskriam First Nations have indicated they intend to appeal. Premier David Eby has responded to the ruling by saying he will protect business stability and homeowners’ private property rights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"