It can be done! CanWest reports...

NEW AIYANSH, B.C. — A northwestern B.C. First Nation has passed a historic law allowing Nisga'a citizens to own their own property, in New Aiyansh, north of Terrace, B.C.

After years of consultations with Nisga’a communities in the Nass Valley and in Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Terrace, the Nisga’a have passed Nisga’a Landholding Transition Act.

It is the first time in Canada that an aboriginal group has approved legislation to allow for private property rights.

Under the legislation, and starting sometime in the spring, citizens will have the opportunity to own their own homes. A Nisga’a citizen who obtains title to their property under the legislation will be able to mortgage their property as security for a loan, or to transfer, bequeath, lease or sell their property to anyone, according to the Nisga'a Lisims government.

“This is a significant step toward true self government. It is a process for increasing economic prosperity for our people,” said Nelson Leeson, president of the Nisga’a Nation, in a statement, on the Nisga'a Lisims government website.

“It is important for us to be able to find ways of building capacity for our people so that they can stand on their own.”

The Nisga’a Nation is home to about 6,400 Nisga’a citizens.

New Aiyansh is the largest of the communities of the Nisga'a First Nation. It is situated near the Nass River, just north of Terrace. Terrace is located about 550 kilometres northwest of Prince George, B.C.