Rio Tinto Returns Traditional Lands To Cheslatta
Monday, January 30, 2012 @ 12:01 PM
Grassy Plains, B.C. – Rio Tinto Alcan is returning traditional lands to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation in what the company calls a historic moment.
RTA has officially completed the transfer of sixty three district lots or just over 11,000 acres to the First Nation. The Cheslatta Carrier were evicted by the Department of Indian Affairs in 1952 when Alcan chose to use the Cheslatta River as part of the massive hydro project to power the Kitimat Aluminum Smelter. The Cheslatta Carrier people have long since fought to get some of their land back.
“Today we get back what we lost 60 years ago.” said Cheslatta Chief Richard Peters, “Land is the backbone of any community and this land is truly the foundation for our future. We are most grateful for the hard work and dedication of former Cheslatta leaders and we also thank Rio Tinto Alcan for being a modern and progressive corporation that understands the significance of the land to the Cheslatta people. We are fully committed to continue working together.”
Rio Tinto Alcan says today’s event marking the transfer is the result of ten years of discussions between the company and the First Nation.
“Today is an important milestone and represents how we can move forward cooperatively,” said Jean Simon, president and chief executive officer, Primary Metal, Rio Tinto Alcan. “I am honoured to be the one, on behalf of our company, to bring this long standing issue to conclusion for the benefit of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation people.”
Rio Tinto Alcan says it is committed to this process, which recognizes the past and opens the door to a better future.
Comments
Beware of Greeks **Nice Guys** bearing gifts.
Is Rio Tinto still thinking about Kemano 2??
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