Indians challenging plans for Tod Inlet

Traditional native Indian hunting and fishing rights will be affected by a massive resort Sam Bawlf plans near Tod Inlet at Brentwood Bay, says Tsartlip Band councillor Philip Paul.

   Central Saanich council will hold a public meeting Oct. 8 to consider the proposal.

   “We’ve never really challenged the fact that when we lose something because of development there should be some compensation, but we now intend doing that,” Paul said in an interview Tuesday.

   “Our people were given fishing and hunting rights on the peninsula by treaties signed years ago,” he said.

The head of the inlet is a spiritual area for Indians because of its purifying waters, according to Paul.

   “So not only are our hunting and fishing interests affected, but also our spiritual areas.”

   Paul said the band will fight to preserve these treaty rights and present a brief at the meeting outlining its case.

   Bawlf, a former Victoria MLA and city alderman, is proposing a family vacation resort with a golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming, a performing arts centre and a marina.

   A conference hotel and resort hotel, complete with fitness spa, would be added in subsequent phases of the multi-million dollar development.