B.C. First Nation claims Victoria-area island, alleging treaty rights violated
VANCOUVER — A British Columbia First Nation is claiming title to a private island off Victoria that is currently owned by one of the world’s richest men and is valued at more than $54 million.
James Island, the largest privately owned Island in B.C., is currently registered to J.I. Properties Inc., a company owned by telecommunications billionaire Craig McCaw.
He bought it in 1994 for $19 million, but in documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court the Tsawout First Nation says it has never surrendered James Island or the title and rights guaranteed by a 1852 treaty with then Vancouver Island Gov. James Douglas.
The 1,600 member First Nation is seeking return of the island, which it says once included a village site, burial ground, vegetable fields, berry patches and access to hunting and fishing grounds.