"First nations are increasingly taking control of their economic and social destiny. As populations have grown and cities have expanded, most urban reserve land has become incredibly valuable. It has dawned on many native leaders that they are sitting on proverbial gold mines.

One of those groups is the Squamish First Nation, which owns tracts of real estate between Vancouver and Whistler. For years, the band allowed others to lease and develop the land and reap the profits. No more.

The Squamish are getting into the development game, big time. Plans are under way for retail and residential complexes in West Vancouver and on a prime piece of land on the south shore of False Creek near the Burrard Bridge. While still in the concept phase, the latter proposal is attracting lots of discussion, some of it quite provocative and alarmist. It is a chatter that goes something like: “Oh, no, the natives are going to ruin our beautiful city.”

The fact is, the Squamish and others are trying to do precisely what many Canadians have been demanding for years: stand on their own and become less of a financial burden to society. Yet doing it takes enormous patience and perseverance.

Because their land is still owned by Ottawa, first nations have to get approvals from the federal government for any development. This can delay plans for years. A bill is now in the Senate for first reading that will allow a land title and registry system to operate on reserve lands, which effectively enables the bands to transfer property rights to non-aboriginals."

Get the Story:
Gary Mason: Give first nations the power to help themselves (The Globe and Mail 6/17)