A dog sits in front of the Big House in Bella Bella, B.C., in October 2022. The province has introduced a bill that, if passed, would give federally recognized First Nations the legal right to acquire and hold land in the province. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)
First Nations leaders are applauding the provincial government for introducing changes to the Property Law Act that will allow the buying, holding and selling of property like any other British Columbian.
For the past 150 years, the law required complex legal maneuvers like the formation of societies or proxies in order for First Nations to be involved in real estate transactions, including owning lands in their own territories.
B.C.’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations said the changes to land title and property laws would allow First Nations to register at the land title office, “reducing discriminatory and racist barriers” for them to own land.
Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin introduced Bill 13 for first reading on Tuesday, and there was no audible opposition in the house.
First Nations Summit executive, Hugh Braker, at a press conference discussed the tabled legislation.
The regional chief for the BC Assembly of First Nations agreed, suggesting the ripple effects would be considerable.
“Far too often our people are left out of the economy and perhaps this is the answer,” said Terry Teegee. “This is a first step, certainly it’s an important step, as part of the path to reconciliation.”
Comments