B.C. First Nation has reached a settlement after 160 year battle with Canada

The Williams Lake First Nation has reached $135 million agreement in principle with the federal government more than 160 years after settlers were allowed to take over its village lands.

The band has been fighting for compensation since 1994 and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in favour of the village claim in 2018.

Band members over 18 years old will be asked to vote in a referendum on June 29th, and Chief Willie Sellars says in a video about the settlement that, with the nation's support, they have a chance to create prosperity for future generations.

Sellars says most of the money would go into a community trust to be professionally managed, and interest generated would be used to fund programs, services and infrastructure and make annual payments to members.