In a significant step towards reconciliation, the British Columbia government has purchased 230 hectares of private property, intended to become a part of Malahat Nation’s treaty lands.
The $9 million land was formerly known as Bamberton, and is located about 40 km north of Victoria. The Malahat Nation has now named the property ‘Malahat Lands’, to reflect the change in ownership.
“Malahat Nation is working hard to build a strong, lasting government that will provide a sustainable economy, bettering families and focusing on our children to come,” said Malahat Nation Councillor Matt Harry.
“The treaty land acquisition will triple our land base and better enable us to provide this.”
“Partnership, respect and recognition of rights”
The provincial government, federal government, and the Malahat Nation are in final treaty agreement negotiations.
“This land purchase is a tangible demonstration of how the Province is doing things differently and taking an approach with Indigenous communities, based on partnership, respect and recognition of rights,” said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
“We’ll see the benefits of this investment in Malahat Nation as we complete and implement a treaty, and as the nation develops its lands in ways that create jobs and support the economic, social and cultural needs of its people. When a First Nation prospers, its neighbours prosper.”
