B.C. First Nation claims title to Victoria-area island owned by billionaire Craig McCaw

Globe and Mail ^

[ameribbean expat]

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.

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Along with a request for damages, the First Nation also seeks an order for J.I. Properties to transfer James Island to the Tsawout and it calls on Canada and British Columbia to compensate the company for handing over the land.

None of the claims has been considered in court and J.I. Properties and the federal and provincial governments have not yet filed responses.

The B.C. Assessment Authority says James Island is currently assessed at $54,433,000 while Bob Ratliffe, vice-president of Craig McCaw's Eagle River Investments confirmed in 2001 that, along with a main home, there are six guest cabins, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and a private air strip.

[MeganC]

“Land Claims” are an endless source of extortion money for Canada’s native population.

[shotgun]

My good friend was McCaw’s wife’s attorney during their divorce. He gave me insights into the legal workings of what at the time was the most expensive divorce in the world.

[Bulwyf]

They weren’t even here first. I want my free land, my ancestors were here first (Nordic).

[zeugma]

I’ll tell you one thing. If I were the owner, before handed a damned thing over, I’d napalm and C-4 every single building on the island.

[Red Badger]

So, they waited until it was developed with expensive homes, cabins, and a state of the art golf course before making a claim.

They didn’t much care when it was just woods...................

[Red Badger]

And bulldoze the golf course.........................

[beergarden]

i’m from Vancouver. Still remembered the McCaw’s when they owned the Grizzlies before moving to Memphis.

And the First Nations of BC must be the most pampered tribal nation in North America. Canada gave then EVERYTHING (out of pc white guilt)—no taxes, free land, free education etc. Heck, I was THIS close to marrying a FN native and I’ll be receiving free checks every month for the rest of my life.

[SteveinSATX]

"Along with a request for damages, the First Nation also seeks an order for J.I. Properties to transfer James Island to the Tsawout and it calls on Canada and British Columbia to compensate the company for handing over the land." If Canada is as progressive as they claim to be then they should pay up with no qualms!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

McCaw also has a private golf course on one of his properties in Wa State. He lends it every year to the WA State Law Enforcement Memorial non-profit to hold a findraising tournament.

The funds go to maintain the Law Enforcement Memorial wall in Olympia Wa (state capital.)

McCaw received something like the 1st five Law Enforcement Memorial auto licence plates (also a fundraising method.)

So I generally speaking think he is ok.

[VietVet876]

I’m sure he’s smart enough to have obtained a title insurance policy prior to his purchase. I’d hate to be the lawyer who OK’d the policy for the underwriter.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Indian Giver Ping...

[rxsid]

"They weren’t even here first. I want my free land, my ancestors were here first (Nordic)."

That's right. The "little known secret" that would upset yet another apple cart.

New evidence suggests Stone Age hunters from Europe discovered America

New archaeological evidence suggests that America was first discovered by Stone Age people from Europe – 10,000 years before the Siberian-originating ancestors of the American Indians set foot in the New World.

A remarkable series of several dozen European-style stone tools, dating back between 19,000 and 26,000 years, have been discovered at six locations along the US east coast.

The Very First Americans May Have Had European Roots
The Mystery of a 8,000-Year-Old Skeleton Has Been Solved
New book reveals Ice Age mariners from Europe were America’s first inhabitants

It's looking more and more like the current "native" american's wiped out the original native american's from several European locations.

[shotgun]

Why didn’t you marry the her, assuming it’s a her? Did you get glimpse of what your future looked like after meeting the mom and sisters?

I got scared off a Navajo gal that way and she was a drop dead knock out!

[Fightin Whitey]

Was McCaw a decent sort, or a rich rabid Lefty who deserves a little more courtroom crapola?

[WellyP]

Tell the worthless, useless blood suckers to suck a stump!

[shotgun]

No it was more of that she wanted to be able to piggy back on all of his future investments after the divorce. She knew he would make sound investments and didn’t want to miss out.

He did say when they deposed Bill Gates that Bill kept picking his nose.

[albertabound]

well, they used to make ammunition on the island so most of the buildings are kinda bomb proof.

[PIF]

Canada gave other tribes a large chunk of the Northwest Territories (now called Nunavut - Hudson Bay west and up to the Arctic) a few decades ago, so why shouldn’t they fork over some insignificant island. The tribes will be satisfied and never dream of asking for the rest of Canada back, would they?

[Gay State Conservative]

This is gonna be fun...particularly if this billionaire is one of those "American society is so disgustingly racist and unfair" types.