The B.C. Supreme Court has delayed the Gitanyow land title case, granting a request from Chief Darlene Simpson of the Tsetsaut/Skiik’m Lax Ha and the Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG).
Both parties are seeking to alter the case’s scope by advancing their own territorial claims within the Gitanyow’s ongoing case. Chief Simpson’s request is particularly controversial, as she is pushing for a dramatic expansion of her predecessor’s land claim.
The Nisga’a also want to become formal parties in the case, which would allow them to present their own title arguments. Despite strong opposition from the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the court acknowledged that denying the adjournment could result in further legal challenges.
The Gitanyow, who have been fighting for recognition of their title since 1910, argue that the delay prejudices their case, but they remain committed to presenting evidence of their territorial rights. The legal battle, already delayed multiple times, is now scheduled to resume in 2025 after the Supreme Court of Canada rules on the appeals.
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