While there are sound arguments for and against the Metchosin/Beecher Bay First Nation/Langford land swap, one aspect is becoming increasingly clear: this is a chance to take a positive step towards a healthy relationship with our aboriginal neighbours.
At Monday’s town hall in Metchosin, Beecher Bay Chief Russ Chipps spoke at length about what this deal would mean for the members of his community. It presents an opportunity for economic prosperity, a chance to bring people out of unemployment, and even perhaps secure a transit route to Beecher Bay for those who don’t drive or own a vehicle.
Encouragingly, his message was very well received by those in attendance.
It’s not easy to place yourself in someone else’s shoes, but the passion and eloquence with which Chipps spoke on the subject led Metchosin Mayor John Ranns to joke with the Gazette that “Russ could get elected Mayor of this place.”
It was clear that the residents of Metchosin had thought long and hard about their neighbours and many expressed a desire to see them prosper, even if residents remained concerned about some aspects of the deal.
In a country with a spotty – at best – history of dealing with First Nations issues, this impactful deal for the West Shore could have a ripple effect on the rest of the region and even the province.
Robert Janes, a lawyer representing Beecher Bay who sat on Monday’s panel at the community hall, expressed his desire to bring this agreement to the Union of B.C. Municipalities should everything move forward.
Any ripple effect might be felt locally, as Colwood is going through a similar experience, with the Esquimalt and Songhees nations having expressed interest in the Department of National Defence property around Royal Roads University. Talks between the federal government and the nations are ongoing, and the hope is that they will come up with a creative solution that will keep all parties relatively pleased.
It’s no longer unprecedented.