Haisla Nation regains traditional territory
Published by Callum O'Reilly,
Senior Editor
LNG Industry,
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Ellis Ross and Kitimat Mayor Joanne Monaghan have celebrated the sale of former District of Kitimat hospital lands by the Province to the Haisla Nation.
The deal has been described as a big step forward for the Kitimat region, the Haisla Nation and the Province. It is hoped that it will enhance the relationship between the three governments and enable new economic development opportunities for the Haisla and the Kitimat community.
Premier Christy Clark said: “This sale enables the Haisla to commercially develop this land, and provide their Nation more ways to meaningfully engage in the economy […] It’s going to create a lot of opportunities for the Haisla First Nation, the community of Kitimat, and the broader region.”
Ellis Ross added: “Today’s agreement returns a key piece of Haisla traditional territory to the hands of the Haisla people […] It is our intent to develop this land for the benefit of everyone in the Kitimat Valley - Haisla and non-Haisla alike. We thank the provincial government for its willingness to include us in these negotiations and the District of Kitimat for its commitment to reach an agreement.”
The Haisla Nation will commercially develop the newly purchased lands, located centrally in Kitimat, through its corporate business arm, Haisla Business Operations Inc.
The former Kitimat hospital lands are located within the District of Kitimat and were transferred from the Northern Health Authority to the Province in 2010.
The purchase follows the signing of a conditional sale agreement between the Haisla Nation and the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in April 2013. The purchase was contingent on the Haisla Nation and the District of Kitimat reaching agreement about how the lands will be developed.
The Province will continue to work with industry, First Nations and communities to ensure lasting benefits are achieved as the LNG industry develops in the Northwest of Canada.
Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly
Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/18062014/haisla_nation_regains_traditional_territory_791/
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