Wei Wai Kum First Nation receives land back from Province of B.C.

A First Nation on Vancouver Island is receiving more than 2,000 hectares of unceded traditional territory back from the B.C. provincial government.

In an announcement on Thursday, the Wei Wai Kum First Nation and the province signed an Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) which will ensure the transfer of 2,276 hectares.

“Lands transferred under the ITA will help increase Wei Wai Kum First Nation’s participation in the forest industry for economic purposes and give its citizens access to lands for cultural and harvesting activities,” the province said in a statement.

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Wei Wai Kum Nation’s unceded traditional territory encompasses the eastern area of mid-Vancouver Island, and extends from the Loughborough Inlet, north of Campbell River, to the Tsable River in the south. It extends westward to the mountains on central Vancouver Island and east through the Salish Sea.

“Carefully selected,” the province says the land chosen will support the Nation’s interest whilst also maintaining public access to recreation sites, such as Loveland Bay Provincial Park, and areas which the province requires for BC Timber Sales operations. The Nation has around 850 members, who live on and off-reserve.

Wei Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts says the agreement and transfer of the land back to the Nation is a significant milestone in the treaty process and “ongoing journey of reconciliation.”

“It’s a strong sign of good faith from government on their commitment to supporting First Nations in reclaiming our lands and resources and restoring our positions as the beneficiaries from the values and gifts of our lands and those responsible for their enduring stewardship and sustainability,” he said.

Explaining that the Nation has been engaged in treaty negotiations for the past 25 years, Roberts says it has been too long to wait for a resolution to the questions of land ownership, while the value of the Nation’s lands diminishes.

“We are now the rightful beneficial owners of these land parcels and will resume management and utilization in a sustainable manner that balances economic, environmental and recreational values, and this will benefit all residents of the surrounding area in our territory,” he said.

The province, federal government and the Nation are now in the final phases of treaty negotiations, the province said, and the lands that have now been given back are an “early benefit” as the final treaty is negotiated.