Homes burned, cemetery flooded: 67 years later, First Nation wins redress

'Their homes had all been burnt'

People "packed up what they could and left," said Cheslatta Chief Corrina Leween, whosemother and grandmother were among those forced out

"When they went back to the reserve, their homes had all been burnt down. The only thing left was the Catholic Church the Cheslatta had built and that was eventually burned as well."

After the flooding, ancestral remains floatin the reservoir

"That still occurs to this day," said Leween. "We still find bones along the lake. We collect them and bring them back to our community."

High waters in 2017 and 2015 further disturbed human remains.

In 2015, Mike Robertson, Cheslatta's senior policy adviser, told CBCit was a haunting situation.

"There's thecost of ... finding the leg of your grandmotheror your uncleor your cousin.Thesearen't ancient graves.These are graves as late as 1952," Robertson said. "People are still alive that are directly related "

Leweensaid these historic injustices affectband members to this day.

'They still live with it'

"The younger ones, they didn't walk out, but they still live with it, theintergenerational impacts," said Leween."We are resilient, but there havebeen adverse impacts from the flooding and relocation. There has been poverty, a high death rate, alcoholism, addictionand violence."

Leweensaid signing theagreement with the province gave herhope.

"There was pride, tears, happiness," she said."The devastation experienced by the Cheslatta people 67 years ago continues to this day," said Indigenous Relations and ReconciliationMinister Scott Fraser."Reconciliation demands we reckon with the truth of our shared history ..."

The Cheslatta hasunanimously agreed to the restitution agreement. But most of the specific terms will remain confidential for a year "pending negotiation with other parties."

The agreement does include $4 million over a decade for environmental restoration, as well as land transfers and support for cultural and language programs.

"We're in an era right now where we can actually take and make a success ofa tragedy," said Leween. "This will allow us to do that, to rebuild our community."