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Your Property May Not Be Yours

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  • On August 7, 2025, the British Columbia Supreme Court (BCSC) issued a judgment in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490, finding that the Cowichan Tribes (along with associated Nations) hold Aboriginal title over part of their claimed lands on the south and east edge of Lulu Island (in Richmond). Richmond News+3Mandell Pinder LLP+3Times Colonist+3

  • The claimed area was approximately 1,846 acres (≈ 7.5 km²) in the southeastern portion of Richmond. Mandell Pinder LLP+1



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The Court held that Aboriginal title and fee-simple ownership can co-exist, but Aboriginal title is a prior and senior interest (meaning fee-simple titles of others may be limited or subject to Indigenous rights). Mandell Pinder LLP


This Landmark ruling signifies that private property purchases may be considered invalid if a land claim is made.


The courts ruling and the Province of BC's adoption of UNDRIP (DRIPA) has setback reconciliation with Indigenous people. Premier Eby and the NDP Government are excluding BC Voters from key Public Land Use decisions that threaten to create animosity between First Nations and non-Indigenous BC residents. The NDP government fail to understand the proverb " two wrongs don't make a right". The lack of transparency by the NDP government has been noted lately in the News by groups, such as the Conservative Party of BC, PHARA (Pender Harbour Area Residents Association), and PLUS (Public Land Use Society) .


The South Fraser River Enhancement Society (SFRES) believe that 'true and meaningful' reconciliation with First Nations is only possible through inclusive and transparent processes.


SFRES is committed to working with First Nations on our common goals of restoring and protecting the secondary channels of the Lower Fraser River.

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