Land rights

Native rights

My rights

Your rights

Sometime people can sit down and work out a deal – it’s call the win-win.

Other times –  it is so contentious or the parties are so adamant – no deal can be struck – a court needs to convene.

What are you talking about?

The dam on Okanagan River south of Skaha – built to control the water levels but interfering with the flow of fish from the south trying to get into the Okanagan Lake system.

Three parties involved: The Crown (on your behalf), the land owner and the Indigenous People (OIB and PIB) who want access to the river so they can fish.

You might have seen TV coverage Friday but that actually tells us little about the history, the possibilities and the real problem.

The dispute is caused by the government of BC for not operating a dam on their land or declaring such and allowing the natives to fish.

The dispute is caused by the owner of the land on the east side of the dam for “saying its my land”   not declared by a court to be theirs or……. allowing the natives to fish.

The dispute is caused by the fishers (including heron and eagles) who have limited respect for ownership rights when you want a juicy salmon to BBQ or eat on the fly.

The BC government should assert –  that ownership of land near fish bearing streams is limited and that an access to water  of 30 feet either side be imposed.

Just saying, you may disagree but some how – native or settler people should have access to the water, the rivers, the creeks, the streams of this province.

Yes…another problem for Linda Larson to solve.