First Nations

Former attorney-general Wally Oppal headed Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in wake of the Robert Pickton trial. A comedy group known as Danger Cats is now facing criticism for selling merchandise featuring Pickton and Premier David Eby has called on the group to apologize. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. premier calls on comedy group to apologize to families of Pickton victims

David Eby calls merchandise depicting Robert Pickton a ‘sad attempt at humour’

Former attorney-general Wally Oppal headed Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in wake of the Robert Pickton trial. A comedy group known as Danger Cats is now facing criticism for selling merchandise featuring Pickton and Premier David Eby has called on the group to apologize. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Modern Treaty partner Eva Clayton, president, Nisga’a Nation, speaks during an announcement in Ottawa, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The Nisga’a Lisims Government says it began an out-of-court dispute resolution process in 2019 and has reached agreements regarding the interpretation and application of its treaty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Nisga’a Treaty disputes settled between B.C. and First Nation governments

New agreement solidifies rights around hunting, consultation and environmental protection

Modern Treaty partner Eva Clayton, president, Nisga’a Nation, speaks during an announcement in Ottawa, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The Nisga’a Lisims Government says it began an out-of-court dispute resolution process in 2019 and has reached agreements regarding the interpretation and application of its treaty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Drummers proceed into the Charlie Longhouse as the Sts’ailes nation celebrates their rights to preside over family services for Sts’ailes children all over the province. (Adam Louis/Observer)

PHOTOS: B.C. First Nation Sts’ailes moves to fund its own child welfare

Despite lack of federal support, Sts’ailes moves forward with their own child laws

Drummers proceed into the Charlie Longhouse as the Sts’ailes nation celebrates their rights to preside over family services for Sts’ailes children all over the province. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, addresses Rock Talk 2024 in Smithers after learning provincial Lands Act amendments are being suspended. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)

Mineral exploration industry supports B.C. Land Act pause

Mineral exploration association president says pause is a chance to get things right for everyone

Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, addresses Rock Talk 2024 in Smithers after learning provincial Lands Act amendments are being suspended. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)
B.C.’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, here seen in 2022, said it is time to press the pause on proposed amendments to the Land Act. He did not say when government, assuming its re-election, would return to the issue following months of concerns about the substance and process of consultations leading up to amendments. (Thom Barker photo)

B.C. presses pause on Indigenous-related changes to the Land Act

Lands Minister Nathan Cullen says more consultation needed in the wake of growign conflict

B.C.’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, here seen in 2022, said it is time to press the pause on proposed amendments to the Land Act. He did not say when government, assuming its re-election, would return to the issue following months of concerns about the substance and process of consultations leading up to amendments. (Thom Barker photo)
Matsqui First Nation Chief Alice McKay speaks Wednesday morning (Feb. 21) at a press conference at the band’s community centre. (Ryleigh Mulvihill/Abbotsford News)

B.C. First Nation community receives $59M for lands taken by power company

Federal government provides compensation to Matsqui band in Abbotsford

Matsqui First Nation Chief Alice McKay speaks Wednesday morning (Feb. 21) at a press conference at the band’s community centre. (Ryleigh Mulvihill/Abbotsford News)
An historical photograph of St. Joseph’s Mission and Industrial School in the Cariboo. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin)

Documentary on B.C. residential school wins Sundance directing award

Sugarcane tells the story of the children who were abused and who disappeared entirely

An historical photograph of St. Joseph’s Mission and Industrial School in the Cariboo. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin)
Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen is rejecting criticisms of proposed amendments to the Land Act, saying First Nations won’t get a veto, as claimed by critics. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. minister says land act changes don’t give First Nations veto power

Nathan Cullen said proposed amendments are designed to provide certainty

Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen is rejecting criticisms of proposed amendments to the Land Act, saying First Nations won’t get a veto, as claimed by critics. (Black Press Media file photo)
Conservative MP Kevin Waugh rises during Question Period in the House of Commons, Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in Ottawa. Waugh is walking back comments he made earlier this week when he implied First Nations are burning down water treatment plants in their communities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Tory MP walks back comments on First Nations water plants amid criticism

Indigenous Services Minister says there’s no place in the House of Commons for the kind of rhetoric

Conservative MP Kevin Waugh rises during Question Period in the House of Commons, Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in Ottawa. Waugh is walking back comments he made earlier this week when he implied First Nations are burning down water treatment plants in their communities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A teepee is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Chief Lynn Acoose of Zagime Anishinabek, home to several First Nations in southeastern Saskatchewan, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Treaty 4 First Nations suing Ottawa over $5 annuity payments

Suit alleges Ottawa has not kept its end of the bargain over annuity payments in nearly 150 years

A teepee is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Chief Lynn Acoose of Zagime Anishinabek, home to several First Nations in southeastern Saskatchewan, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Powell River city Coun. Jim Palm has come under fire for his comments and made-up Tla’amin word during a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 30, 2024 when referring to the city’s possible renaming. (powellriver.ca)

B.C. councillor under fire for using made-up Indigenous word in renaming talks

Tla’amin says the word mocked, belittled the Nation’s language and ancestral place names

Powell River city Coun. Jim Palm has come under fire for his comments and made-up Tla’amin word during a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 30, 2024 when referring to the city’s possible renaming. (powellriver.ca)
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is trying to make inroads with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, hoping to forestall the tensions and angst that marked the party’s last time in power. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks during a media event hosted by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, in Saskatoon, Sask., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

New AFN chief looks to turn page with Poilievre from Harper-era tensions

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said she’s optimistic the Conservative Party leader will work with them

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is trying to make inroads with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, hoping to forestall the tensions and angst that marked the party’s last time in power. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks during a media event hosted by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, in Saskatoon, Sask., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
David Sampson wears a T-shirt in honour of his great niece, Kendra Samson, who died on Dec. 20, 2021. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Communities come together as youth murder trial wraps up in Williams Lake

Indigenous community members focus on support, healing for all families involved in tragedy

David Sampson wears a T-shirt in honour of his great niece, Kendra Samson, who died on Dec. 20, 2021. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
The Fraser River looking west over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

2 months to comment on B.C. plan to give Crown land decision-making to First Nations

Proposed Land Act amendments are ‘critical next step,’ for B.C. says First Nations Leadership Council

The Fraser River looking west over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
CRD chief administrative officer Ted Robbins, left, Pacheedaht First Nation Chief Jeff Jones and CRD board chair Colin Plant sign a memorandum of understanding. (Contributed – CRD)

Capital Regional District, Pacheedaht forge historic government partnership

Agreement outlines collaborative priorities, aiming to facilitate respectful decision-making

CRD chief administrative officer Ted Robbins, left, Pacheedaht First Nation Chief Jeff Jones and CRD board chair Colin Plant sign a memorandum of understanding. (Contributed – CRD)
?Esdilagh Chief Troy Baptiste and filmmaker Julian Noisecat from Canim Lake, at the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in August 2021. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C. residential school film, ‘Sugarcane’, premieres at Sundance festival

Documentary follows members of Williams Lake First Nation and neighbouring communities

?Esdilagh Chief Troy Baptiste and filmmaker Julian Noisecat from Canim Lake, at the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in August 2021. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Williams Lake First Nation chief calls B.C. reconciliation award ‘special’

Willie Sellars one of a handful to be honoured for their efforts in a Jan. 18 ceremony in Victoria

Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomes provincial funding of just over $675,000 to help plan a regional youth centre. Premier David Eby announced the support Tuesday in Prince George. (Screencap)

Support given to youth mental health and addictions centre for northern B.C.

Facility proposed by First Nation gets just over $675,000, opening date, location up in the air

Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomes provincial funding of just over $675,000 to help plan a regional youth centre. Premier David Eby announced the support Tuesday in Prince George. (Screencap)
Mitzi Dean will no longer serve as Child and Family Development Minister following a cabinet shuffle announced Monday morning. Fellow Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take Dean’s job, while Dean will take over Lore’s old job as minister of state for child care. Andrew Mercier remains in cabinet but with the new title of minister of state for sustainable forestry while George Chow joins cabinet as parliamentary secretary for international credentials. (Screecap)

Mitzi Dean out as B.C.’s child care, children and family development minister

Dean remains minister of state for child care after facing multiple calls for her resignation

Mitzi Dean will no longer serve as Child and Family Development Minister following a cabinet shuffle announced Monday morning. Fellow Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take Dean’s job, while Dean will take over Lore’s old job as minister of state for child care. Andrew Mercier remains in cabinet but with the new title of minister of state for sustainable forestry while George Chow joins cabinet as parliamentary secretary for international credentials. (Screecap)
Chiefs Paddy Walkus, Willie Walkus, and David Nolie stand by the carvings and regalia. (Submitted photo)

B.C. First Nation reclaims ancestral treasures from Royal B.C. Museum

Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw repatriating masks, regalia and sacred items taken during forced relocation

Chiefs Paddy Walkus, Willie Walkus, and David Nolie stand by the carvings and regalia. (Submitted photo)