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For the first time, the Supreme Court of Canada has recognized a First Nation’s title to a specific tract of land — a historic decision with major implications for contentious energy projects such as the Northern Gateway pipeline.

Thursday’s 8-0 decision, which overturned an appeal court ruling, will essentially make it easier for First Nations to establish title over lands that were regularly used for hunting, fishing and other activities.

The landmark ruling is the Supreme Court’s first on aboriginal title and will apply wherever there are unresolved land claims.

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They also want land that has been promised to the Tsawwassen First Nation as part of that group’s treaty settlement agreement.

The case could stall efforts by the federal and provincial governments to resolve long-standing claims by recognized First Nations.

The tiny Hwlitsum band was formed in 2000 after its chief, Ray Wilson, won a 15-year Supreme Court fight to regain his full Indian status. However, Wilson and his extended family, which comprises about 250 people, have been unable to get official federal and provincial recognition of their band, with the result that they remain a First Nation in name only. They have filed a statement of intent with the B.C. Treaty Commission, but their claim has not advanced very far.

Frustrated at the lack of progress and worried that lands they claim may be given to others, the Hwlitsum launched a wide-ranging civil suit on Nov. 7 in which they applied for a large number of injunctions to stop any dispersal of lands that might compromise their claim. In addition to the federal and provincial governments, they named the cities of Vancouver, Richmond and Delta, the Vancouver park board, the Capital Regional District and the Islands Trust, the regional government that oversees the Gulf Islands.