Land Code

The Wei Wai Kum First Nation (Campbell River Indian Band) has a Land Code that replaced the land management provisions of the Indian Act. The Land Code was developed based on the Framework Agreement of First Nations Land Management, which is a government-to-government agreement with Canada that allows First Nations to resume and exercise their own jurisdiction, control and decision-making over their lands and resources.

The benefits of a land code to the Band include the ability to make timely business and administrative decisions without having to go to the federal government for approval. It enables our Nation to enact and enforce sound environmental management and protection laws. It also protects our Nation against arbitrary expropriation of our reserve lands.

The Framework agreement does not affect any treaty rights or Aboriginal rights.

Land Management under a land code can include:

Interests and licenses for land and natural resources
Revenue and expenditures
Zoning, land use, subdivisions, land development
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Protection
Transfers, including wills and estates
Matrimonial property
Dispute resolution
Enforcement
Administration and accountability, including conflict of interest rules and delegated authority
Land Management under a Land Code does not apply to:
Oil and natural gas
Atomic energy
Migratory birds
Endangered species
Fisheries
Taxation exemptions and powers
Any lands except reserve lands