Thursday June 26, 2014
THUNDER BAY: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno welcomed today’s landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that grants title over 1,750 square kilometres of land to Tsilhqot’in First Nation in British Columbia and adopts a broad approach to Aboriginal title:
“This unanimous decision by the Supreme Court sends a very strong message that the Crown, as represented by the Government of Canada, must recognize and respect Aboriginal title and deal honourably with First Nations. The written ruling by Chief Justice McLachlin takes a broad view of Aboriginal title and supports the ownership of lands that have been occupied and used for centuries by First Nations.
This has widespread implications and provides useful guidance for all NAN First Nations engaged in land claims and various stages of economic and resource development projects. We expect that the principles laid out by this decision will have a significant impact on resource development in Nishnawbe Aski, including the Ring of Fire, as it supports First Nation rights to control development in our traditional territories.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario in Canada.
For more information please contact: Nick Sherman, Communications