First Nations Leaders Issue Stern Warning: Hands Off BC's Indigenous Rights Law!

It's a foundational piece of legislation, a true landmark in the journey toward reconciliation here in British Columbia. We're talking, of course, about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, better known as DRIPA. And right now, its very integrity seems to be hanging in the balance, as First Nations leaders across the province issue a resounding caution to Premier David Eby: don't even think about tinkering with it.

Premier Eby recently floated the idea of potentially "clarifying" or even outright amending DRIPA, particularly concerning the contentious issue of "consent." This notion apparently arose after he met with various business leaders and, somewhat surprisingly, some Indigenous communities who expressed concerns about the perceived "veto" power embedded within the law, especially when it comes to major natural resource projects. But for many, many First Nations, this suggestion feels like a step backward, a betrayal of the collaborative spirit that birthed DRIPA in the first place.

Think about it: DRIPA wasn't just pulled out of thin air. It was a painstakingly co-developed piece of legislation, a genuine partnership between the provincial government and Indigenous leadership. It was meant to fundamentally shift how B.C. operates, moving us away from endless legal battles and towards a future built on respect, recognition, and collaborative decision-making, all guided by the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Leaders like Robert Phillips, who serves on the political executive of the First Nations Summit, haven't minced words. He's called the idea of amending DRIPA a "red line," a non-starter that would effectively undo years of hard-won progress. It's not about Indigenous communities having a unilateral veto, he stresses, but about genuine "Free, Prior, and Informed Consent" (FPIC). And that, my friends, is a world of difference. FPIC means coming to the table in good faith, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and working together to find common ground. It's about partnership, not simply saying 'no'.

Terry Teegee, Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations, echoes this sentiment with equal force. He views DRIPA as the absolute minimum standard for implementing Indigenous rights in B.C. Any move to unilaterally alter it would not only undermine the spirit of reconciliation but also set a dangerous precedent, signalling that the government isn't truly committed to its promises. The trust, once broken, is incredibly difficult to rebuild, and such a move would undoubtedly plunge the province back into legal quagmires and uncertainty.

The original intent of DRIPA was clear: to align B.C.'s laws with UNDRIP, ensuring that Indigenous peoples' rights are respected and integrated into provincial decision-making. It was designed to foster a climate where economic development could proceed hand-in-hand with Indigenous self-determination, benefiting everyone. In fact, some of the frameworks already developed under DRIPA demonstrate exactly how this collaborative approach can work successfully.

So, as Premier Eby navigates these complex waters, the message from First Nations is unequivocal: uphold the existing law. Don't tamper with the hard-earned foundation of reconciliation. Because truly, the path forward isn't in weakening Indigenous rights, but in strengthening the partnerships that ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for all British Columbians.