Aboriginal title over large tracts of 95 per cent of B.C. that's now referred to as Crown land would entail “huge transfer of wealth.”
VICTORIA — The B.C. government should prepare the public for the coming “big shock” when “fairly large chunks” of provincial Crown land are recognized as actually owned and controlled by Indigenous Nations.
So says Jack Woodward, the lawyer who won the case that resulted in the first declaration of Aboriginal title in B.C. and who is taking another title case to court next year.
VICTORIA -- The B.C. Supreme Court has granted an injunction to remove protesters from logging sites near the Fairy Creek area of Port Renfrew.
The blockades were set up in August against logging company Teal-Jones. Protesters say the blockades were established to prevent old-growth logging in the area.
Activists say they will continue to call on the B.C. government to intervene.
On March 1st, eight water and land protectors (now known in the press as the Secwépemc 8) appeared either in Kamloops Supreme Court or by phone.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 15th at 2 PM in Kamloops Supreme Court (or by phone for the arrestees who reside in the Lower Mainland). The dial-in number and passcode will be shared, once they are available, and anyone from the public is welcome to join the call as an observer, but is not permitted to speak.
