Rio Tinto Alcan announced the transfer of 11,690 acres of land to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation on Monday.
The land is made up of 64 properties, with an estimated value of $1.2 million, south of Burns Lake on the shore of Ootsa Lake, Cheslatta Lake and Cheslatta River. In April, 1952 the Cheslatta Carrier First Nation was forced to surrender the former reservation lands to make way for construction of a reservoir on the Nechako River to power the Kemano hydroelectric dam.
On Monday, Rio Tinto Alcan announced the properties which were not flooded and remained undeveloped would be returned to the Cheslatta.
"This important event is the culmination of over ten years of discussions between us and the community to return these traditional lands to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. Today is an important milestone and represents how we can move forward cooperatively," Rio Tinto Alcan president Jean Simon said in a press release. "I am honoured to be the one, on behalf of our company, to bring this long standing issue to conclusion for the benefit of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation people."
A spokesperson for U.K.-based Rio Tinto could not be reached for comment as of press time. The company purchased Alcan in 2009, and continued ongoing negotiations with the Cheslatta regarding the lands.
Cheslatta Carrier First Nation senior policy advisor Mike Robertson said the deal is a landmark moment for First Nations relationship with industry.
"Alcan has agreed to return the property with no strings attached. I don't know if there is any example of that in North America," Robertson said.
"The Cheslatta have been refugees for 60 years. Now they have their land again."
The lands were part of the traditional territory of the Cheslatta and includes several former village sites on Cheslatta Lake of cultural and historic importance, he said.
"That is quite significant to people," he said. "There is going to be a process of planning to decide ... what they want to do."
At the announcement at Grassy Plains Community Hall, Abel Peters, 89, presented RIo Tinto Alcan vice-president Paul Henning with six vintage Canadian dollar bills in payment for the property.
In 1952, it was Peters who translated the terms of the the surrender of lands to his people.
"Today we get back what we lost 60 years ago," Cheslatta Chief Richard Peters said in a press release.
"Land is the backbone of any community and this land is truly the foundation for our future. We are most grateful for the hard work and dedication of former Cheslatta leaders and we also thank Rio Tinto Alcan for being a modern and progressive corporation that understands the significance of the land to the Cheslatta people."
Those currently using the lands for berry picking, hunting and other activities will continue to have access to the lands.
Former chief Corrina Leween said the announcement marks a new chapter for the Cheslatta.
"For many years we struggled to keep the land issue alive and on the table," Leween said. "The spirit of my ancestors and the sorrow and grief that they carried all of their lives, inspired us to never give up on their dream and own dream, to once again, own our homelands outright."
