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Municipal forest reserve is unceded First Nations land

These lands were taken from the Cowichan and Halalt — never given up in a treaty process.
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Municipal forest reserve is unceded First Nations land

The council of North Cowichan is to be commended for a very reasonable way forward on addressing the issue of logging on the six mountains that make our region.

But I have to say, what has been seriously overlooked in the media and public debate leading up to the series of decisions made by council on a way forward is the fact that these lands, these mountains, are in unceded Cowichan and Halalt territories. These lands were taken from the Cowichan and Halalt — never given up in a treaty process. There has been constant reference about the public owning these six mountains. But I really beg to differ in light of the history of how these lands came into public ownership. They were taken from indigenous peoples of the region over 100 years ago.

From that standpoint the district needs to enter into serious reconciliation discussions with the Cowichan as a first step and then together address the public on ways to move forward. I was heartened to hear that, even if not framed as reconciliation, to this end that council decided on expanding its Forest Advisory Committee to include representation from Cowichan Tribes and Halalt First Nation.

This said, what needs to be acknowledged in the work moving forward is that these lands were taken — they are not “our” mountains. This compelling unfolding story of the place we all call home isn’t just about sustainable forestry, revenue generation, protecting forests, but about social justice and a way of moving forward united, as communities by reconciling past colonial mistakes and injustices.

Eduardo Sousa

Duncan