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B.C. Appeals Court sides with First Nation over Aboriginal title on Nootka Island
The ruling expands the nation’s title to 210 square kilometres and could reshape logging and land-use decisions on the island.
- On Thursday, the B.C. Court of Appeal granted the Nuchatlaht Nation full Aboriginal title over 210 square kilometres of Nootka Island, marking the first time in Canadian history a nation has won title over its entire claim.
- The Appeal Court panel found the previous judge erred by drawing an 'arbitrary boundary,' ignoring evidence of 'sufficient occupation' and thousands of culturally modified trees dating to the late 18th century.
- With B.C.'s Forest Act and Park Act no longer applying to the territory, the Nuchatlaht now plans to develop infrastructure for tourism, housing, and roads. Lead lawyer Jack Woodward said, "They've got their land back, the ancient territory that their ancestors owned."
- B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said the province is "carefully reviewing the decision" to assess legal implications, while Western Forest Products stated it is evaluating how the ruling affects operations.
- Legal experts say the Nuchatlaht victory "leapfrogs" other DRIPA-related cases, affirming courts as the primary venue for First Nations seeking restoration of ancestral rights after years of being overlooked.
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castanet.net+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
'We got it all': Nuchatlaht First Nation wins title over entire 210 sq. km claim
A First Nation has been granted a title over 210 square kilometres of territory off the west coast of Vancouver Island—a landmark decision that represents the first time in Canadian history a nation has won full Aboriginal title over its entire claim.
·Kelowna, Canada
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Global News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
B.C. Appeals Court sides with First Nation over Aboriginal title on Nootka Island
The B.C. Court of Appeal says a lower court judge used an "arbitrary boundary" to determine a First Nation's Aboriginal title over a swath of Nootka Island.
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 17%
C 50%
R 33%
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