New Brunswick’s top court has narrowed the scope of a major title claim by the Wolastoqey Nation, excluding private lands belonging to three large forestry companies from any ownership claim [J.D. Irving Ltd., H.J. Crabbe and Sons, and Acadian Timber]. The Court of Appeal says however that the Wolastoqey can continue their case against the Crown — but only for damages and compensation they deserve for the loss of those same now-private lands. Former chief justice Ernest Drapeau said he was seeking “to open a clearer path to peaceful and respectful reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in this province.” The ruling distinguishes between a declaration of Aboriginal title — the equivalent of awarding present-day ownership — and a finding of Aboriginal title, which would acknowledge the Wolastoqey never gave up ownership and deserve compensation. …Wolastoqey chiefs said they were asking their lawyers to seek an appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Related in the Financial Post: Wolastoqey Nation plans to take title claim of forest land appeal to Supreme Court