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“A just resolution of these types of claims is essential to the process of reconciliation,” Chief Justice Richard Wagner wrote on behalf of the majority.

Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie said the members were “elated” with the high court’s ruling.

“For over 150 years our chiefs and elders have been saying that we were unlawfully pushed off our village lands,” Louie said in a statement. “This decision from our country’s highest court clearly says our dispossession from these lands was wrong.”

The band is one of 17 communities of the Shuswap Nation, which traditionally lived around Williams Lake, harvesting game, fish and berries.

The lands would become the south-central B.C. municipality of Williams Lake, 540 kilometres north of Vancouver, with a population of about 10,500.

Seven years ago, the band made a claim concerning just over 800 hectares, including the present city’s downtown.

In 2014, the specific-claims tribunal — which can award financial compensation — upheld the band’s arguments concerning the original lands, finding that both the colony and Canada had breached their duties.

The Federal Court of Appeal overturned the tribunal’s decision two years ago, concluding that Canada’s post-Confederation actions were sufficient.

The Supreme Court decision affirming the tribunal ruling clears the way for establishing compensation.

The Williams Lake band is looking forward to sitting down with federal representatives as soon as possible to figure out how to make amends, Louie said.

The band acknowledges the support from First Nations organizations across Canada as well as the hard work of its legal team, she added.

“We are also really appreciative of the support we’ve received from the City of Williams Lake in our efforts to get a resolution of this claim,” Louie said.

“People may wonder what reconciliation is about; well, it’s about this. It’s standing side by side to ensure wrongs are rectified.”

— Follow @JimBronskill on Twitter