Land Code & Committee

Campbell River Indian Band Land Code

The Campbell River Indian Band is developing a Land Code to replace the land management provisions of the Indian Act. The Land Code is being developed based on the Framework Agreement of First Nations Land Management, which is a government-to-government agreement with Canada that allows First Nations to resume and exercise their own jurisdiction, control and decision making over their lands and resources. Currently, the Department of Indian Affairs manages land and natural resources on our reserve lands under the Indian Act.

How Does it All Work?

• The Campbell River Indian Band will develop a Land Code to replace the land management provisions of the Indian Act
• The Campbell River Indian Band will enter into an individual agreement with Canada that describes the specifics of the transfer of administration between Canada and the Band
• The Campbell River Band Members will then need to ratify the Land Code and Individual Agreement in order to take control of our lands

The benefits of a land code to the Campbell River Indian Band include making timely business and administrative decisions without having to go to the Minister of Indian Affairs for approval. It will enable our Nation to enact and enforce sound environmental management and protection laws. It will also protect our Nation against arbitrary expropriation of our reserve lands.

The Framework agreement will not affect any treaty rights or Aboriginal rights. We will still retain our tax exemption status.

Land Management under a land code includes:

• Interests and licenses for land and natural resources
• Revenue and expenditures
• Zoning, land use, subdivisions, land development
• Environmental Assessment
• Environmental Protection
• Transfers, including wills and estates
• Matrimonial property
• Dispute resolution
• Enforcement
• Administration & accountability, including conflict of interest rules and delegated authority

Land Management under a Land Code DOES NOT apply to:

• Oil and natural gas
• Atomic energy
• Migratory birds
• Endangered species
• Fisheries
• Taxation exemptions and powers
• Any lands except reserve lands

Land Code Coordinator

Land Code Committee

The Council has set in place a lands committee comprised of 5 interested and concerned community members to develop a land code that will be the fundamental law of administration of lands and resources of the Campbell River Indian Band.

The committee members are:

• Kim Roberts
• Camble Quatell
• Susan Paquette
• Lorraine Henderson
• Ethel Henry

This committee will be responsible for:

• Developing ways to contact and consult with off reserve members
• Preparing initial voters lists
• Developing a Land Code that reflects the needs and views of our community
• Developing a Community Ratification Process

At the end of this process you will be asked to vote to approve or disapprove of the developed land code. It is our hope that all members will be involved and informed of this opportunity, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important matter.

Information about the Framework Agreement www.fafnlm.com/indexe.html

Below the following documents are attached:

1. Summary of Land Code
2. Land Code Questions & Answers
3. Wei Wai Kum First Nation Land Code Final Ratification Draft dated Feb 15, 2001
4. Wei Wai Kum First Nation Community Ratification Process dated Oct 25, 2010