The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) are welcoming the BC Court of Appeal’s ruling that confirms the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) carries full legal force in British Columbia. The decision follows the Gitxaala Nation’s challenge to the province’s free-entry mineral tenure system, which previously allowed mining claims to be registered without consultation.
The FNLC is a coalition of three prominent First Nations political organizations: the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit, and the BC Assembly of First Nations. Together with the BCCLA, the council says the ruling clarifies that DRIPA is legally binding and that the province must align its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The organizations stress that the court’s decision makes it clear the government cannot act unilaterally in matters affecting Indigenous rights. It reinforces that consultation, cooperation, and accountability are essential in legislative and policy decisions. They also commend the Gitxaala and Ehattesaht Nations for their persistence in holding the province accountable, calling the ruling a province-wide win for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
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