A series of agreements between the federal government and Musqueam First Nation are coming as a surprise to many British Columbians. They were quietly announced last month and now questions are being raised about what exactly they mean. Jordan Armstrong reports.
The Musqueam First Nation has signed three agreements with the federal government recognizing Aboriginal rights in Metro Vancouver.
A Rights Recognition Agreement: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1772569109838/1772569128589
According to a release from the government, the agreements also strengthen Musqueam’s roles in fisheries, stewardship and marine emergency management.
Thomas Isaac, chair of the Aboriginal law group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, called it “an acknowledgment of rights and title within a very large area of the Lower Mainland that includes waterways.
“I guess it’s the third largest metropolis in our country, and is an area of significant overlap with other First Nations.”
The details of the agreement were not immediately made clear, but have since been provided to Global News and the full agreement is embedded below.
“It is, from a process point of view, it’s, and I’ll say it again, absolutely unacceptable that public democratic governments are entering into agreements acknowledging Aboriginal title in any form when it’s an exclusive right to land, according to the Supreme Court of Canada, without consulting in some way with their constituency, which is the public,” Isaac said.
“It’s just unacceptable.”
Isaac said this is not the way toward reconciliation or economic stability.
Read the full article at Global News: Musqueam First Nation signs Aboriginal rights deal with Ottawa – read the full agreement
https://globalnews.ca/video/11713930/musqueam-signs-aboriginal-rights-deals-with-ottawa