Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc

Tk'emlups signed a deal with the federal government for $12 million after a years-long claim over what should have been reserve land.

Chief and council agreed to the settlement late last month after filing a specific claim over the Trout Lake area, now known as Lac Le Jeune.

An Indigenous Services Canada spokesperson said the claim was filed in 2019 alleging Canada failed to permanently set aside Sk?wet?úse7 (Trout Lake) Indian Reserve 6 for Tk'emlups te Secwepemc. Negotiations started three years later.

Another three years later, the settlement was signed on Feb. 26.

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"This reflects a legacy of strong leadership in our Tk'emlups te Secwepemc," a First Nation social media post said. "We raise our hands to both past and present leaders who have upheld and continue to uphold our sovereignty, held Canada accountable, and brought justice to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc people for this long-outstanding legal obligation."

The agreement means the federal government will compensate Tk'emlups with $12,213,435, according to the First Nation.

Negotiations were held in response to a specific claim, which is a process by which First Nations can dispute the federal government's failure to allocate land and water rights or improperly handle First Nation funds, for example.

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The only previous Tk'emlups specific claim was launched in 1993 when it claimed the BC government unlawfully took 6,000 from its main reserve. It failed 15 years later when the federal government found "no lawful obligation" was owed to the First nation, according to Specific Claims Branch records.

An information session for Band members was hosted a day before the Trout Lake deal was officially signed, but whether or not the First Nation has plans for the settlement fund isn't known.

Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir was not available for comment on the settlement.

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