Bridge Lake Stampede A14
JULY 2, 2014
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Two Sections, 32 pages
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CANADA DAY CELEBRATION
Important day for seniors A5
Chris Nickless photo
Fundraising for moncton families B1
There was a good turnout for the opening ceremonies of the Canada Day celebrations at the 108 Heritage Site on July 1. Members of the 100 Mile House RCMP Detachment provided the colour guard, Mark McMillan was the master of ceremonies, and local band Front Porch and the Eclectica Community Choir entertained the crowd.
'A new Canada'
Supreme Court grants land title to Tsilhqot’in Nation
INSIDE
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The ruling is the first time the Supreme Court has recognized a First Nation’s title to a specific tract The Tsilhqot’in Nation was grant- of land, and it opens the door for ed Aboriginal title of its traditional land claims by other First Nations territory in central British Columbia engaged in ongoing territorial disin a landmark ruling by the Supreme putes with industry and government. Court of Canada on June 26. “This case is about us The historic decision, regaining our independence which overturned a 2007 – to be able to govern our own provincial appeal court rulnation and rely on the natuing unanimously 8-0, is ral resources of our land,” expected to significantly said Chief Joe Alphonse, alter future discussions Ts i l h q o t ’ i n N a t i o n a l about land use and economGovernment Tribal chair, in ic development in the area, a press release. Joe such as forestry and mining Alphonse “Under our own laws and projects, and puts the onus teachings, there is no queson government to seek consent and tion that these are our lands. This is respect Aboriginal interests, while the end of denying rights and title.” justifying any future incursions on The Aboriginal title includes title lands. approximately 2,000 square kilomeGaven Crites Free Press
tres in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, to the was limited in her response to south and west of Williams Lake. reporters. Roger William, Chief of the Xeni Regarding amendments to the Gwet’in band, one of six Forest Act, she said it’s too that make up the Tsilhqot’in early to say what specific First Nation, was the plainchanges the government will tiff in the case on behalf of be making. the Tsilhqot’in Nation. However, Anton noted The Supreme Court that as the courts have made found the province clear, negotiation is preferabreached its duty to consult ble to litigation with respect the Tsilhqot’in people about Suzanne to First Nations issues, and Anton commercial logging on their treaty negotiations will conlands and now that title has tinue. been established, the timber on it no “We’ve seen the benefits that longer falls within the definition of come to First Nations communi“Crown timber” and the Forest Act ties, and indeed to all of us, when no longer applies. First Nations have the opportunity Citing the significance of the to fully participate in the economy. decision and the need to examine We know that industry supports the it further, Attorney General and approach that creates certainty on Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton Continued on A3