Their lands, villages, cultural and spiritual sites were flooded by the creation of the Nechako reservoir

Yesterday (April 17^th) was an important day in righting a wrong, as Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, announced:

“Reconciliation demands we reckon with the truth of our shared history and address the past. The devastation experienced by the Cheslatta people 67 years ago continues to this day.”

The Nechako Reserviour

More than 65 years after their lands were flooded to make way for the creation of the Nechako Reservoir, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation have signed agreements with the Province of British Columbia that provide restitution and redress for impacts suffered by their community and their peoples.

One individual who worked on this file in the previous government, was Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad.  John spoke to me on the topic saying, “I worked for many years to get this agreement done. We almost had it completed, and I’m happy to see the NDP kept it going”.

He continued, “Back when the dam was originally built, the engagement with the Cheslatta people went something like this: someone went around knocking on doors telling them the dam was being built and they had two weeks to move before the flood came. Their homes were destroyed after they left”.

In 1952, the Cheslatta Nation peoples were evicted from their homes on two weeks’ notice and forcibly resettled outside their traditional lands. Their lands, villages, cultural and spiritual sites were then flooded as the newly built Kenney Dam filled what is now known as the Nechako Reservoir.

At a private ceremony in Victoria, Chief Corrina Leween and Councillors Ted Jack and Hazel Burt of Cheslatta Nation, along with Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, signed a Settlement Agreement and an Interim Reconciliation Agreement. 

Together, these agreements will provide the Cheslatta Nation with funding and lands to create a base for future community, social and economic development.

I was honoured to attend the private signing ceremony in Victoria at Cheslatta’s request. It was very emotional to witness this historic event”, Rustad commented.

“The Cheslatta people have been very patient looking for long term reconciliation. They want to engage economically and work hard to find ways forward.”

And those words were literally echoed by Corrina Leween, Cheslatta Carrier Nation Chief:

“For 67 years, the Cheslatta people have worked tirelessly to achieve resolution and reconciliation to this historic wrong. This agreement honours the justice our ancestors and previous leadership spent their lives fighting for”.

“Now, we are positioned to begin the healing process and to advance the social and economic standing of our people for generations to come.”

Community support for a final settlement was strong, with unanimous endorsement of the Settlement Agreement by Cheslatta voters.  On March 14, 2019, the Cheslatta held a vote for all members. With a sixty percent turn-out, 100% voted yes to the Settlement Agreement.

“We are committed to doing what we can to redress this wrong. The Settlement Agreements provide the Cheslatta community with lands, funding and support for community healing”, remarked Minister Fraser.

Cheslatta Nation has requested that terms of the agreement remain confidential for one year pending their negotiations with other parties.