Squamish Kitsilano Action
As part of the omnibus claim filed in 1977, Squamish sought the return of, or compensation for, the loss of their village of Sen̓áḵw, the Kitsilano Reserve located in Vancouver at present-day Vanier Park. This claim was severed out from the omnibus claim and went to trial in Federal Court for almost three years. Under the direction of Ratcliff’s John Rich as lead counsel, Squamish successfully established the former reserve land was a reserve established for the Squamish Nation and, prior to a final judgment on the issue of liability, settled the case for a substantial amount of compensation. Squamish established a trust with the money that endures to this day and continues to provide financial benefits to Squamish Nation.