Indigenous

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is urging the United Nations to condemn British Columbia’s shifting stance on a key reconciliation law, calling the province’s actions a “step backwards” for Indigenous rights.

Premier David Eby said he was wrong to push changes to British Columbia’s Indigenous rights law this spring, as his government backs away from proposed legislation after reaching a new agreement with First Nations leaders.

The British Columbia government has tabled a bill to implement a treaty with the Kitselas First Nation in west-central B.C. It comes amid pushback from neighbouring First Nations, who say the treaty would infringe on their territorial rights.

British Columbia has tabled legislation to implement a treaty with K’ómoks First Nation, marking a major milestone in a process that began more than 30 years ago.

The British Columbia government has backed away from making a controversial bill on its Indigenous reconciliation law a confidence vote, as internal dissent and opposition from First Nations force a rethink of its approach.

First Nations leaders say they have lost confidence in Premier David Eby as his NDP government seeks to amend British Columbia’s landmark reconciliation legislation.

The British Columbia government is scaling back several proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act after further engagement with local governments and industry.