One hurdle left for developer

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The Skeetchestn Indian Band has negotiated a deal that will see $1.4 million go to its community in return for the thumbs up on a $180 million resort development planned at Six Mile Ranch, land claimed as Shuswap traditional territory.

Skeetchestn Chief Ron Ignace called the agreement a victory for his band, which was faced with spending years in court fighting the infringement of Aboriginal title. The nation had already gone to court to place notices of the ongoing claims fight on resort land titles as a warning to potential purchasers. This bid was lost in both the provincial Supreme Court and Appeals Court.

The Skeetchestn agreement will prevent any further legal action against the development of the 440-hectre parcel of land in return for the dollars, as well as protection of grazing leases and habitat, and a backcountry recreation license.

Work on the resort, its 1,000 homes, hotels and golf course, could begin this month, said developer Michael Grenier, president of Pagebrook Inc., but there is still a fly in the ointment for it-the Kamloops Indian Band.

Chief Bonnie Leonard said her council has serious concerns regarding their title of that land. They could still scuttle the deal, pending a general community vote on April 30.

Ignace, though, looks forward to a positive outcome.

"In the past we have been highly supportive of Kamloops Indian Band land claim issues, such as Scheidam Flats and Harper Ranch. I'm confident they will be highly supportive of us now."

The province is also hoping for Kamloops Indian Band's support of development.

"In the end we will all benefit in terms of job creation and increased tourism," said Kamloops MLA Cathy McGregor at the Skeetchestn agreement announcement March 30.