The Tribunal’s decision confirms that colonial and federal officials, knowing full well the circumstances, failed to do their jobs to protect the Band’s village lands. Officials should have never let the Band’s village lands be taken up by settlers. And, when they found out that these lands had been pre-empted, they should have taken the lands back for the Band’s benefit. “The hurt described by Chief William, the pain of having our lands taken from us, has been passed on from generation to generation,” said Chief Louie. “Our former Chiefs and Elders instilled in me the need to resolve this wrong. With Judge Slade’s decision we received the vindication we have all been fighting for.” Chief Louie praised her community for never giving up on the claim. At the oral hearing held on the Sugarcane Reserve in October 2012, a number of Band members testified about the peoples’ ancestral and ongoing connections with the village lands. One of the witnesses who testified was Elder Agnes Anderson, the great-granddaughter of Chief William, and grandmother to Chief Louie. Mrs. Anderson passed away in March of 2013. “My grandma and our other Elders are smiling down on the Band today,” said Chief Louie.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:23:33 +0000
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