On my drive to work today, I was listening to a professor, Dr. Judith Sayers of the University of Victoria and her take on the latest proposal by the Canadian federal government related to expanding reserve lands, regardless of their location. To hear her full interview (8:21 in length) click here.
Historically, reserve lands could be expanded on, but expansion was limited to lands neighbouring the reserve area. This proposal will potentially see other lands, separate from First Nation reserve lands, subject to sale to become incorporated into First Nations reserve and fall under First Nations jurisdiction. While this is an exciting development in regards to further steps of reconciliation, it has raised alarm bells and a flurry of questions. Municipalities are concerned over loss of tax revenue, policing, fire, city planning, and much more.
In my community, the First Nations population is the fastest growing demographic, and I think that such a proposal could result in wealthy First Nations tribes, such as Cowichan Tribes, regaining many lost territories which are not recognized as being their lands. With land being so integral to our indigenous peoples, it will be interesting to watch how society receives – how it welcomes or resists – such change to who controls lands.
Mel Burgess.
