West Moberly First Nations ‘disheartened and frustrated’ by reactions to Land Act amendments

MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — West Moberly First Nations (WMFN) says negative reactions to the provincial government’s proposed Land Act amendments in late February before the proposals were put on hold caused “great concern and frustration” for the band.

“After working diligently with the province and stakeholders, it is disheartening to learn that work on the amendments has been paused,” read a statement released by the First Nation on March 4th.

The amendments would have allowed shared decision-making between the province and First Nations throughout B.C. as part of the NDP government’s work aligning their laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Those against the amendments believe First Nations can dictate how and what they can do with access to resources on the land, according to West Moberly.

In a statement last month, B.C.’s Minister of Water Land and Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen, said public opinion on the decision was split.

While he stated that the “vast majority” of industry stakeholders were in favour of the proposals, the NDP wanted the opportunity to engage “more with people” to demonstrate the benefits of the legislation.

In a statement released on March 4th, WMFN says “negative reactions” from opposition parties regarding the amendments caused great “concern and frustration.”

“Central to UNDRIP and reconciliation is the recognition that Indigenous Peoples must have the right to participate in decisions affecting our rights,” the statement reads.

“Contrary to negative comments by opposition parties and some media, the proposed amendments would not alter the existing land tenure system within British Columbia. There would be no impact on the public’s ability to access Crown Land.”

On February 21st, following the government’s decision not to proceed with the proposed amendments, B.C. United Peace River North MLA Dan Davies said that the public’s reactions put “insurmountable pressure” upon the government to cancel the proposed amendments.

But the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs called the cancellation of the amendments a “shameless opportunity for partisan political gain.”

West Moberly says the government “failed” to engage with the public and manage the communication process effectively.

Objection to the amendments has come from some who spread “racist misinformation,” according to the First Nation.

“These words have consequences,” the statement concludes. “Treaty 8 community members and leadership face increased hostility and racist backlash [from those] who believe misinformation about the proposed amendments.”

According to the CBC, almost all of the nearly 100 million hectares within B.C. are Crown Land or unceded territory.