Real Estate Review
E REAL ESTATE
NANAIMO
Printing Websites e.ca www.eliteimag w
REV IEW
Your Bi-Weekly Guide
to Real Estate in Nanaimo,
ONLINE: WWW.NANAIMOBULLETIN.COM
Nanoose, Ladysmith and
ADVERTISING INFORMATION: CALL
the Surrounding Areas
LESLEY LIVINGSTONE-GRAY AT 250-734-4614
THURSDAY, FEB. 28, 20133
INSIDE
Deer disposed Conservation officer investigates dumping of carcasses. PAGE 19 Reading freedom Events spotlight censorship in schools and libraries. PAGE B1 B-ball VIU teams both capable of bringing home provincial championship. PAGE 3
WE
THE LAKE RESORT ONROUND LIVING AFFORDABLE YEAR
Westwood Lake in the in the woods, on exquisite Beautiful lots for sale, nestled city of Nanaimo. luxuries of a first class relaxed living with all the sun deck, hot tub and Resort on the Lake combines enjoy our lakeside club house, from holiday resort. Come andthe 3.5 mile trail around the lake. Fish for trout heated pool. Walk or jog You can play tennis, practice golf on our putting the sunshine and the shore or from kayaks. or horseshoes - or just enjoy green, enjoy a game of bocci
FEATUREY PROPERT
of Realty Executives Call Peter or Kathy Koch information. at 250.753.9688 for more
1st Month FREE & Use OUR Truck to Move In! call
BUY
relax! for excellent shopping, 10 min from downtown Located on a bus route only amenities. restaurants and many ocean-front
250-758-2270
# # # # # # # #
GOLD
Heated & Drive-Up Units Monitored Security Fenced Compounds Easy Access Prepay Discounts Out Rent Pro-rated on Move Open Every Day Mailboxes for Rent
5 Locations in Nanaimo
AND FINE JEWELLERY Y
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
www.nanaimobulletin.com
Seedy Sunday Lee Sanmiya, Nanaimo Community Gardens Society administrator, sorts through her collection of mixed dried beans, peas, kamut and other varieties at her home as she prepares for Seedy Sunday (March 3). For the full story, please see page 4.
VOL. 24, NO. 129
Agreement transfers land to First Nation
I
SNAW-NAW-AS gain control of more than six hectares.
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULELTIN
BY NIOMI PEARSON THE NEWS BULLETIN
The Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation signed an incremental treaty agreement with the provincial government Tuesday that will see two parcels of land totalling 6.4 hectares transferred in fee simple over the next three years. The agreement was one of five signed by First Nations constituting the Te’mexw Treaty Association, who have worked through the B.C. treaty process since 1995. The other Te’mexw nations to sign an agreement at Tuesday’s ceremony are T’Sou-ke (Sooke), Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Malahat First Nation and Songhees Nation (Esquimalt). “It’s good news, the people are happy because we finally get to see something after [nearly] 25 years of waiting,” said Snawnaw-as Chief David Bob. “It means that we’re hopefully getting closer to a treaty. “Both governments need to take this serious and start bringing things to the table that mean something to the First Nations.” The land parcels are Crown land and located within Snawnaw-as traditional territory, off of Fairdowne Road in the Regional District of Nanaimo. Under fee simple, the same laws, bylaws and regulations apply to
SHIFT
$4000 OFF
Don’t Miss Out!
2012 NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK - 4 LEFT!
NEWCASTLE NISSAN
250-756-1515 • 3212 North Island Hwy. (beside Country Club Mall) D.L. 30776
P: 250.585.1648 3392 Norwell Drive
www.newcastlenissan.com
the land as they would on any other privately owned land. “What it means is we can finally start working with companies to get some type of economic development happening without having to worry about the Indian Act,” Bob said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and log it all tomorrow, we’re going to sit back, study it, see what’s the best use for that area. “We’re going to … involve our community and the outlying communities where the property is.” The purpose of an incremental treaty agreement is to bring benefits more quickly to First Nations communities which are undergoing the treaty process by advancing portions of a future complete settlement package. According to information from the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, the lands could potentially become treaty settlement lands if a treaty is finalized. If a treaty isn’t reached, the land is still retained by the First Nation as fee simple. Snaw-naw-as is currently in stage four of six of agreementin-principle negotiations in the B.C. treaty process. Bob said while the agreement is cause for celebration, First Nations members are also taking time to remember those involved in the treaty process who are no longer alive to see the progress being made. “We’ve lost about five or six elders,” he said. reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com