The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs are demanding the immediate withdrawal of two proposed provincial bills they say undermine Indigenous rights, environmental protections, and reconciliation efforts. In a formal letter to Premier David Eby, the Chiefs voice opposition to Bills 14 and 15, which would give the province sweeping powers to fast-track large infrastructure projects while bypassing existing environmental assessment and consultation processes.
The Gitanyow are currently engaged in legal action over the Ksi Lisims LNG project, which they believe will have severe impacts on their territory in northwest B.C., including harm to endangered salmon and the climate. They argue that the bills remove vital safeguards and contradict British Columbia’s commitments under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA.
They’re also concerned that the bills don’t require consent from First Nations and use vague terms like “core territory” without explanation. The Chiefs warn that if the legislation passes, they will bar provincial applications on their traditional lands until a proper DRIPA-aligned process is followed.
Calling for meaningful consultation over the summer, the Gitanyow say the proposed laws represent a serious step backward in the province’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.
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