A deep disagreement between the three First Nations whose traditional territory includes 性视界传媒 on one side, and the farming community and many other residents on the other, has escalated 鈥� at least verbally.
The Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations are negotiating to take over a piece of land known to them as k'weq'aneq, some 300 acres of federal land at 192 Street and 36 Avenue. Most of this land is used for farming.
The three First Nations chiefs outlined their objectives at a ceremonial announcement at the site on June 26. Grace George of the Katzie, Marilyn Gabriel of the Kwantlen and Harley Chappell of the Semiahmoo made it clear that they want the land, and they want unbridled authority to use it any way they wish. That would seem to indicate that most of the land would be developed for industrial park use. Large warehouses and acres of pavement and concrete are almost continuous from 36 Avenue to 16 Avenue, on both sides of 192 Street.
The Heppell family, which has farmed 220 acres of the land for over 50 years, and many other farmers point out that piece of farmland is unique in the Lower Mainland. It is high, well-drained land, and has been enriched every year through good agricultural stewardship. Many farmers point out that crops grown on that land allow B.C. growers to compete for sales with U.S. growers earlier in the season, which means they get better prices for their produce.
A large public meeting in early 2023 saw almost-unanimous support for the Heppells鈥� position. 性视界传媒 council attempted to have the land included in the Agricultural Land Reserve. While federal land can be added to the ALR, ALR rules do not apply.
Both the federal and provincial governments have, for many years, been making agreements with First Nations to take over surplus land. Successive court decisions confirming aboriginal rights and title, and constitutional obligations, have led to this practice. Very significant parcels in Vancouver have been turned over to First Nations, and a large residential development owned by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations is now under construction in Kitsilano, just south of the Burrard Bridge.
Chappell said: 鈥淲e have the opportunity to put some action into reconciliation. We aspire to be much more than stakeholders, but right-holders right here in our backyard. If we want to speak of reconciliation, we must speak of land. We must.鈥�
Former attorney-general Geoff Plant, who writes a well-reasoned and thoughtful blog (The Plant Rant) about aboriginal claims to land in B.C., points out that 鈥淩econciliation is not just pretty words. It鈥檚 real change.鈥�
Questions can be raised about whether more of what is now the Campbell Heights business park could have been included in the ALR when it was created in 1973, but it was excluded.
The parcel of land in dispute, formerly used for overseas communications towers, is one of the few remaining large pieces of federal land in 性视界传媒. Both the Kwantlen and Semiahmoo have lost portions of their reserve land in 性视界传媒 over the years, mostly to the federal government and the city.
Given the intense interest in the future of the land in question today, it seems that much more dialogue needs to take place 鈥� not just between Ottawa and the First Nations, but also involving the broader community.
Citizens speak the loudest at election time. There will be a federal byelection in Cloverdale-Langley City soon, and there will be a provincial election in October. This issue needs to be part of the discourse in both of those election campaigns.
Plant quotes former Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Lamer in one of his blogs. Referring to questions surrounding aboriginal title, Lamer noted: 鈥淲e are all here to stay.鈥�
His words are very appropriate when applied to this issue.
Frank Bucholtz writes every second week for Black Press Media publications.
