Esquimalt Nation Sues for Hatley Park Land

0:00It's April 9th. Welcome to Vancouver News today, powered by AI. Eskwell-Mult nation just filed a lawsuit against Canada's Attorney General in British Columbia Supreme Court. They're claiming Aboriginal title to Hatley Park, the spot where Royal Roads University sits in Coldwood. They say it belongs to them, not the neighboring song he's nation, and they're fighting a planned land transfer from a 2015 treaty. Deal. The treaty involves the Temics W. Treaty Association, which is almost done with its fifth stage out of six in the BC Treaty Commission process. Eskimo argues they never agreed to it and have deep historical ties to the land, including villages, hunting grounds, and oral deals from the 1850s with Hudson's Bay Company. The park's loss hits hard for Eskwell-Mult's 384 members, cutting off access to territory they use for fishing, farming, and cultural life for thousands of years. And now it's tied up in military, university, and municipal uses, messing with their rights

1:01and self-government. Songhe's nation, through their lawyer, says they're disappointed after years of talks and generous offers, like a $13 million. 3.4 hectare plied at Theta's Cove, bought by the province in 2021. They call the suit more posturing than real threat, especially since Eskwell-Mult turned down joining the treaty group before. The treaty still needs member votes, provincial sign-off, and federal approval, which could drag on over a year. With no court rulings yet, this beef overhatley park keeps everyone watching how reconciliation shakes out on the ground.