The Tseshaht First Nation is celebrating the settlement of a long-running battle with Ottawa over their former fishing village at the mouth of the Franklin River.
Iwatchis was recognized as a Tseshaht Reserve until 1913 when the federal government expropriated the land for a railway that ultimately was never built.
Tseshaht chief councillor Ken Watts hopes this is the first of many more specific claims settlements.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s probably just the first of many specific claims we’ve seen. It’s an opportunity to help us out financially. Through various reasons there have been things that have happened on our land or with our money that we either haven’t been compesated for or Canada breached it’s fiduciary duties.”
Watts said Tseshaht will receive $21 million for the 26 acre Iwatchis lands, with money spread amongst community members and funds set aside for priorities like housing, fisheries, forestry and economic development.
Recently, Tseshaht announced they are seeking compensation for Highway 4, which was built through their reserve despite their opposition.
Comments