Tod Inlet title is what Tsartlips want
Band councillor says money isn’t the issue
The site-specific land claim filed by the Tsartlip band is based on title, not money, says band councillor John Elliott.
“We’re not interested in money, it’s the title to the land that’s at stake,” Elliott said in an interview.
He was responding to statements by Central Saanich Coun. Kip Wilson that the issue is “clearly one of compensation.”
Wilson, a lawyer, told council the best the band with end up with is money.
“There won’t be any transferring of ownership of land,” he told council.
The claim, filed Feb. 7 with the Indian Affairs Department, covers the entire Tod Inlet and “quite a chunk” of land surrounding the inlet.
The land is targeted for a major residential-commercial development by FAMA Holdings Ltd. of Vancouver.
“The whole claim is based on title,” Elliott said.
“The land was stolen from us,” he said. “They didn’t say anything when they were stealing our land. It’s not our fault this issue is now the subject of a land claim.”
He added: “they didn’t get excited when the land was being taken from us. Why are people getting excited because we are trying to get back what is rightfully ours?”
The site-specific claim covers the site of an old Indian village and also Indian burial grounds, said Elliott.
“It’s a sizable piece of property that’s involved.”
Lawyer Cathy Figol said in a letter read to council Monday the band has treaty and aboriginal interests in and around Tod Inlet and is therefore “opposed to any development or activity in the area which will interfere with these interests.”
The band requests any development in and around Tod Inlet be postponed until the claim area has been resolved to its satisfaction.
Council’s position is that jurisdiction regarding land use is related solely to use of the land and not to the user.
The band requests any development in and around Tod Inlet be postponed until the claim area has been resolved to its satisfaction.
Council’s position is that jurisdiction regarding land use is related solely to use of the land and not to the user.
