The Great Land Grab is a traveling exhibit currently at the Duncan branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library until mid October. This is the opportunity for Cowichan residents to learn more about the theft of over 800,000 hectares of land on southern Vancouver Island to build the E&N railway.
This land was granted by the federal government to Robert Dunsmuir as incentive to build the railway from Esquimalt to Nanaimo. It was given without the knowledge, consent, treaties or compensation to the First Nations occupying that land.
The privatization of this land led to resource extraction and development to the huge benefit of settlers and corporations, with none of it going to the First Nations whose land it was.
That railway for which this land was stolen now ceases to operate. Although FORT-VI would like to see the corridor become an active transportation trail, our position is that the First Nations whose reserve land the railway bisects should get their land back, and negotiations should be held between all affected First Nations and the government for restitution and compensation for the land grant (grab).
Keep your eyes open for this exhibit to come to a library near you. For further in-depth information see The Great Land Grab.