A Tiny First Step Into The White Men's World.....

...but I do not want to diminish their successes in the commercial distribution of cigarettes and other tax free products.

Natives and Property Rights

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It has long been a problem of the Native nations that their members could not own land on the reserves. All land was communally owned thus no individual could leverage their home for a loan. This prevented Natives from being able to start businesses or otherwise invest in their community.

Now in BC, at least one tribe is trying something different. The Treaty nation of Nisga'a has decided to allow its members to sell and mortgage their homes.

Hats off to the Nisga'a. It would be interesting to see how much this will improve their community.

Posted by Hugh MacIntyre