Panelists Chief Dominic Frederick, Chief Terry Teegee, Mavis Erickson, Paul Michel listen as  Marlene Erickson speaks – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C.- “On June 26th, we were all Tsilqot’in, it literally changed our world in one day”  that is how Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee  described  the way  First Nations peoples felt  when the Supreme Court of Canada  ruling  was released.  He referred to the decision as  a “political and social  earthquake”.

Tribal Chief  Teegee was one of  five speakers at a panel session  at  the College of New Caledonia today, a session to discuss the  Court ruling .

That ruling  made it clear that the Tsilqot’in had  Aboriginal title not just to the areas where they lived in that territory, but to  areas where they fished, hunted, trapped, and practiced their culture.  Further, the Court ruled  development  must have consent of those who have Aboriginal title before any development could  begin and that first Nations have a right to the benefits of the land.

The ruling has been called a game changer for First Nations in Canada.

Teegee said “This doesn’t mean development isn’t going to happen, it is going to happen in a different way.”   He admitted it has yet to be seen just how the ruling will be interpreted, but added, “You know the rules of the game now”.

The ruling will not only have an impact on how governments and industry move forward with projects,  Chief Teegee says  it will also have an impact on BC Treaty negotiations “The treaty process is in danger, if the rights have been asserted, why negotiate for a portion of that territory?  So it’s another reason to stay away from the Treaty process.”

Lheidli T’enneh  Chief, Dominic Frederick  told those in attendance that  the Tsilqot’in decision  “cannot be used as a template, we are using it as a stepping stone to move on to solidify the land and title for Aboriginal people.”  He says it is “one more bargaining tool to deal with industry.”

Chief Frederick  called on all levels of government,  Aboriginal neighbours and industry  “to  work together as one”.