Williams Lake Indian Band [Village Site Inquiry] -- March 2006

In June 2002, the Williams Lake Indian Band requested that the Commission conduct an inquiry into this claim. It alleged that, by permitting third parties to pre-empt settlements that were occupied by the Band and reserved from pre-emption, the colonial government of British Columbia breached its statutory and fiduciary obligations to the Band, a breach the federal government is now liable for.

During a conference call in February 2003, the parties agreed on a joint statement of issues. A community session was held in the summer of 2003, and written submissions were presented by the end of 2003. Oral arguments were scheduled for March 2004. However, just before this session, new evidence was uncovered which resulted in the parties finding it essential to conduct a joint research project, which was delivered in August 2004. Oral submissions followed in October 2004.

The Commission completed its inquiry in March 2006 and released its report, which recommends that the government accept this claim for negotiation, in June 2006.

To download the news release

To download the report