The province's appeal of a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling on the land title of the Cowichan Tribes is expected to be a big deal as Indigenous leaders meet with Premier David Eby and cabinet ministers starting Tuesday in Vancouver.
This is the 10th BC Cabinet and First Nations Leadership Convention, an annual event that brings together provincial and First Nations leaders.
What will be on everyone's minds this year is the court decision granting Quw'utsun Nation (Cowichan) Aboriginal title to between 300 and 324 hectares of land in Richmond.
“We are entering this meeting in a very tense situation,” said Grand Chief Stuart Phillip with The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs speaks to CBC News.
The ruling invalidated Crown and city titles in that area of Richmond, causing uncertainty among home and business owners, although Cowichan residents say their case was never aimed at private landowners.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province is asking for a stay of the decision to give the Court of Appeal time to review it.
“I understand why people are worried. I would be worried, but I want to reassure people that we are going to go to court,” he said.
He says the province needs time to clarify how the decision will impact both Indigenous people and private landowners.
Philip says the meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday will be an important opportunity for leaders to clarify their positions.
“We will continue to advance our positions, which have been repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court, and we will continue to seek the common sense and genuine commitment of the people to reconciliation,” he said.
Philip says he hopes discussions will focus on respectful dialogue and reconciliation.
He and Eby, along with Regional Chief Terry Tiegee of the Assembly of First Nations of British Columbia and Chief Shana Thomas with the First Nations Summit, are expected to make remarks and answer questions from the media at 7:30 a.m. PT.
