The British Columbia government has quietly ceded a significant portion of Nuchatlitz Provincial Park to the Nuchatlaht First Nation, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last year that recognized the First Nation's Aboriginal title to 1,140 hectares on Nootka Island. This marks the first time parkland has been included in a title ruling. Public access to these areas is no longer guaranteed, and the First Nation plans to develop the land, including building a road and potentially logging, raising concerns from local residents and environmentalists about park protection and government oversight.
B.C. cedes much of Nuchatlitz provincial park to Nuchatlaht First Nation
Canada
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The British Columbia government has quietly ceded a significant portion of Nuchatlitz Provincial Park to the Nuchatlaht First Nation, following a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last year that recognized the First Nation's Aboriginal title to 1,140 hectares on Nootka Island. This marks the first time parkland has been included in a title ruling. Public access to these areas is no longer guaranteed, and the First Nation plans to develop the land, including building a road and potentially logging, raising concerns from local residents and environmentalists about park protection and government oversight.
Trending- 1 Nuchatlitz Park established (1996)
- 2 Nuchatlaht First Nation argues park created without approval
- 3 B.C. Supreme Court declares Nuchatlaht proved Aboriginal title to 1,140 hectares (last year)
- 4 B.C. government cedes portion of Nuchatlitz Park
- 5 Nuchatlaht plans to develop title lands (road building)
- 6 Nuchatlaht appeals decision for more territory
- 7 Haida Nation recognized with Aboriginal title to Haida Gwaii (last year)
- 8 Joffre Lakes Park temporarily closed at request of Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations (this summer)
- Public access to parts of Nuchatlitz Park no longer assured
- First Nation plans to develop title lands (road building, potential logging)
- Concerns from local residents and environmentalists about park protection and government oversight
- Precedent set for Aboriginal title superseding park protections on Crown land
- Legislative vacuum regarding governance of Aboriginal title lands
What: The British Columbia government ceding a large portion of Nuchatlitz Provincial Park to the Nuchatlaht First Nation.
When: Last year (B.C. Supreme Court ruling), 1996 (park established), 2022 (Wilderness Committee report), 11 years ago (Tsilhqot’in case), 'this summer' (Joffre Lakes closure).
Where: Nuchatlitz Provincial Park, Nootka Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Approximately 110 kilometres northwest of Tofino.
Why: In response to a precedent-setting B.C. Supreme Court ruling that declared the Nuchatlaht First Nation proved Aboriginal title to the land. The Nuchatlaht argued the park was created without their approval and brought visitors without benefit to them.
How: The B.C. government ceased applying parkland laws to the ceded portion, effectively transferring control to the Nuchatlaht First Nation.