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NORTHWEST B.C.
SCOTT SIMPSON
Vancouver Sun
Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en Indians claimed a victory for their ancestors and their children Friday after a landmark decision on aboriginal rights in the B.C. Court of Appeal.
In a 3-2 decision, a panel of judges rejected the Indians' claim to absolute title over 57,000 kilometres of traditional territory that they occupied before colonization of B.C.
The land in question includes the salmon-rich rivers, minerals and forestry in the Bulkley, Skeena and Babine river systems.
The Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en were seeking ownership of public property plus forestry, fishing, mining and water rights.
All five judges agreed that aboriginal rights not only exist, such rights are protected by the constitution. That ruling is expected to give Indians across B.C., who are just beginning to enter treaty negotiations with the provincial and federal governments, a much stronger bargaining position.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Andrew Petter said he was encouraged by the court's assertion that negotiation was the best avenue to resolve the Indian land question...
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