(The Canadian Press distributed the following article by Terri Theodore on July 15.)
VANCOUVER — Members of the Seton Lake Indian band blocked a freight train on the B.C. Rail corridor south of Lillooet for several hours Thursday, a day after the $1-billion sale of the railway to CN Rail.
Seton Lake Chief Garry John said they wanted to send a message to government, but cut short their protest blockade to say they are open to discussion. “We’re not mean, vindictive people,” he said. “We just want some justice.”
The natives want a revenue-sharing agreement and some land back that was taken a century ago to create the rail line.
“The province of British Columbia and Canada have amassed a tremendous amount of wealth using our lands to transport commodities,” John said.
“Some of that wealth needs to start finding its way into our bank accounts.”
The B.C. government sold B.C. Rail’s roadbed rights to CN in a long-term lease.
Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said the province and the company can’t continue to ignore what is a legal duty to consult natives over their rights and title.
“They’re going to continue to find us planted square in the middle of the rail line,” Phillip said. “This is just the beginning.”
Phillip said the Seton Lake band has the union’s full backing, which could including a legal battle for compensation.
CN is considering its own legal action after Thursday’s blockade.
Jim Feeny, the director of public affairs for CN, said it wants to stop any interference with its rail operations.
“Potential legal remedies would including injunctions and-or claim of damages for costs that are occurred as a result of unwarranted interference with rail operations,” he said.
John refused to say what kind of action the band will be taking next to pressure the government and rail line into negotiations.
“We’re not going anywhere and until these matters are resolved this state of uncertainty that CN Rail finds itself in is going to continue,” he said.
The government plans to use the $1 billion to pay off B.C. Rail’s half-billion-dollar debt.
An additional $170 million will be used to spur investment in northern British Columbia, which includes tourism projects, expansion of Prince Rupert’s port and programs for First Nations.