It is being called the journey for justice.
It’s a 20 year multi-million dollar court challenge over First Nations land rights.
This case involves a big chunk of the B.C. interior.
The supreme court will hear the historic appeal next Thursday.
Today, the journey for justice tour rolled through Regina on its way to the nation’s capital.
The legal challenges began more than twenty years ago over logging rights.
Since then the claim by the Tsilhqot’in nation has wound its way through several levels of courts in British Columbia.
At stake is the development and ownership of more 4,400 square kilometers of land in B.C.’s interior.
Six first nations are involved and Roger William is the Chief of one of them.
He is confident the Supreme Court will run in their favour.
“I just can’t imagine there would be a loss, but if there is loss in this title case then I believe that we as first nations and non-first nations are going to be on the ground moving forward trying to make things right.”
Chief William, several elders and youth members from the bands affected are riding a bus to the nation’s capital.
Today, they stopped at the first nations University, where FSIN chief Perry Bellegarde offered his support.
Bellegarde says there is a lot at stake.
“So this case is a very important case. It is all about rebuilding a flawed relationship with the crown. The honour of the crown has to be respected and true reconciliation has to be put in place and there is an opportunity now for that to happen.”
Bellegarde will travel to Ottawa next week to join Chief William for the Supreme court hearing.
If the B.C. first nations win their case it will give them the right to decide how the lands will be used and by whom.
It would also and guarantee economic benefits over resources like minerals and timber.
Arguments will be heard November the 7th.