The Nisga’a Nation says it believes politics is behind opposition to its proposed purchase of Crown land on the North Coast.
In a news release issued Friday afternoon, the Nisga’a claim that the land at Nasoga Gulf has been part of the exclusive territory of the Nisga’a since time immemorial.
The Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla, who also claim Title to the land, held an information blockade Friday along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace to express their opposition to the transaction.
The Nisga’a Lisims Government announced its intention to buy the land from the province in 2016 to pursue economic development.
But NLG President Eva Clayton says repeated efforts to discuss the land purchase with the neighbouring Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla have been rebuffed.
As for concerns about the provincial government, the NLG says the province has been negotiating with the Coast Tsimshian about the purchase for over three years.
As for why the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla are going on the offensive now, Clayton notes that both will be holding elections this fall.
