After years of negotiation, Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation and the Canadian government announced a $75 million settlement on the Klatwaas Colonial Reserve Reduction Specific Claim last week (Nov. 10).

Canada is providing the funding to Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation as recompense for allotting lands and reducing them without compensation.

香蕉视频直播淭his settlement agreement marks another step toward rebuilding Canada香蕉视频直播檚 relationship and addressing the historical grievances to Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation,香蕉视频直播� a Crown-Indigenous Relations ministry news release reads.

Before confederation, the Colony of British Columbia set aside approximately 2,000 acres to create the Klatwaas Reserve in 1864. However, the colony unilaterally reduced the reserve without compensation in 1868.

Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel Chief Alice Thompson says the settlement is a significant moment for both the First Nation and all parties working to advance reconciliation in Canada.

香蕉视频直播淚t is meaningful to be able to celebrate this milestone as a Nation. The Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel Council is committed to ensuring that all our members benefit from this settlement and that the funds are utilized to forge a brighter future for our community for generations to come,香蕉视频直播� Thompson said.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree joined Thompson at Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation in Deroche for a signing ceremony on Tuesday (Nov. 14).

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about righting past wrongs. And we know that compensation of any kind will never bring back the loss but looking at the young people, we know that we could create a better future for them and their future generations,香蕉视频直播� Anandasangaree said during a speech.

Anandasangaree says the settlement will support the community香蕉视频直播檚 well-being going forward but there香蕉视频直播檚 more to do.

香蕉视频直播淔or hundreds of years, Canada has benefitted off lands that were unlawfully taken from Indigenous Peoples 香蕉视频直播� these debts are long overdue, and it香蕉视频直播檚 time that Canada repays them. The resolution of this claim is an important step in Canada香蕉视频直播檚 relationship with the Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation,香蕉视频直播� Anandasangaree said.

Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel originally filed the Klatwaas claim in July 2017 and it was accepted for negotiation in June 2020. Negotiations began in August 2020 and the settlement agreement was ratified by the membership of the Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel three years later on Aug. 31, 2023. The Chief and Council of the First Nation executed the settlement agreement on Sept. 20 and Anandasangaree did the same on behalf of Canada on Nov. 8.

香蕉视频直播淭he Klatwass Specific Claim Settlement is the result of our ancestors香蕉视频直播� knowledge and determination that fueled our Leq香蕉视频直播檃:mel leadership香蕉视频直播檚 determination to achieve the 1915 compensation promise for loss of lands by Governor Douglas. Our Leq香蕉视频直播檃:mel ancestors will rest better because of the reconciling of a past wrong. My hands are raised up to my Leq香蕉视频直播檃:mel leadership and the current Government of Canada who together have achieved this historic moment in our time,香蕉视频直播� Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel First Nation elder Susan McKamey said.

Thompson says the settlement marks a significant moment in Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel香蕉视频直播檚 history and sets the path for future negotiations for larger claims.

香蕉视频直播淲e look forward to our next steps and we are committed as leadership to ensure that all of our members benefit from this settlement,香蕉视频直播� Thompson said.

Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel has recently approved a strategic plan and community plan developed through community engagement that will help guide the use of the funds. The First Nation will also develop a members香蕉视频直播� benefit program, in addition to improvements to infrastructure, development and social growth.

Leq香蕉视频直播櫭�:mel Coun. Darrel McKamey says the First Nation is negotiating eight other specific claims at the moment, in addition to larger colonial claims.

香蕉视频直播淩econciliation is a lot more than just claim settlement and money and what have you, right? The big thing here is being partners and developing a relationship that香蕉视频直播檚 meaningful. So we香蕉视频直播檒l continue to work towards that true partnership, reconciliation and settle the claims of our lost use of lands,香蕉视频直播� McKamey said.

According to the news release, the significant socioeconomic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada are the direct result of decades of colonial policies, which often led to the denial and dispossession of land.

香蕉视频直播淥wnership of land in Canada is closely linked to ownership of resources and economic benefit; for hundreds of years, settlers in Canada have benefited from the land to the detriment of Indigenous Peoples, who have suffered, both culturally and economically,香蕉视频直播� the news release reads.

香蕉视频直播淗onouring Canada香蕉视频直播檚 legal obligations and properly compensating Indigenous Peoples for what was unjustly taken and withheld is fundamental to advancing reconciliation in Canada and rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities.香蕉视频直播�

Since the Specific Claims program began in 1973 to September 2023, 675 claims, totalling $13.3 billion in compensation, have been settled through negotiations.