Summary:
Reporter: Thirteen years after their case was filed the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en heard today that they have made legal history…what they heard is that the Supreme Court has written and new and sweeping definition of the rights of Canada’s native people to their traditional lands…although the Court does not award ownership to the two Native bands, it does say that governments must negotiate with them fairly and pay fair compensation for land taken…
Anuthlem buhn (Gordon Sebastian), Gitxsan main speaker: You want to go cut a tree on our territory, you’re going to have to come and talk to use. If you are going to infringe our rights, the Gitxsan rights, then you’re going to have to justify it.
Reporter: What is more, the Court says the ancient songs and stories of people like the Gitxsan must be considered by the courts as evidence of ownership.
Wii Elaast (Jim Angus), Gitxsan treaty negotiator: And when oral history is recognized, it is absolutely important to us. Oral history, adaawk, is alive and well and we are very please with that…