Kamloops and Tk’emlups denounce land claim misinformation

The City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups issued a joint statement Friday to give “clarity and reassurance” amid ongoing coverage and speculation about Aboriginal land claims, including one that spans the Kamloops area.

The statement comes weeks after the Cowichan land claim spurred criticism of reconciliation efforts with First Nations and questions about how many other similar land claims are outstanding in court.

The decade-old Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation claim is one of them, but local governments are assuring residents their property is not at risk.

“No declarations have been made, and the claim does not seek private or City-owned land,” a Dec. 12 joint statement from the City and Tk’emlups read.

Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc, a joint governance group consisting of Tk’emlups and Skeetchestn Indian Band, filed the land claim in BC Supreme Court ten years ago, but it remains in early stages. It seeks Aboriginal title over much of the area, but that does not mean they seek to subvert private land titles.

The Cowichan decision ended with the court ruling the province, Canada and the First Nation must negotiate as the Richmond land was unceded, meaning there was no treaty or concession made to Canada for ownership.

While the court did find Aboriginal and private titles can coexist, it required the Crown to negotiate in “good faith reconciliation.”

Tk’emlups and the City of Kamloops called for the public to be “calm and patient,” while encouraging people to seek out “factual information.”

“These issues are too important to be shaped by social media, rumours or those seeking to create division,” the joint statement read.

It’s not clear how long it will take for the claim to reach a trial, but Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has called for the court claim to be dropped in favour of negotiations.