MCK applauds Supreme Court landmark Tsilhqot’in Decision

06/26/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it is extremely pleased with the decision announced by the Supreme Court of Canada in regard to Tsilhqot’in First Nation, which grants a ‘declaration of aboriginal title’ to over 1,700 square kilometers of land in British Columbia.

The unanimous 8-0 decision is the first time that the court has made such a groundbreaking ruling regarding First Nations lands.

“Finally, aboriginal title has been reaffirmed and is no longer just a vague concept in the eyes of Canada,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “This will have impacts on several levels. The Supreme Court – which has often disappointed us in the past – has actually ruled in favor of a First Nation to the point that it establishes what ‘land title’ means and what rights are associated with it.”

“The urgency has now shifted to Canada to ensure that it implements this in work at all stages at the Federal level,” he continued. “We expect that this will be implemented in a meaningful and authentic manner.”

The MCK and its Legal Services team will be analyzing the ruling to determine its possible impacts on Kahnawà:ke.