B.C. First Nation goes to court over automatic mineral rights

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B.C. First Nation goes to court over automatic mineral rights – CTV News

by ahnationtalk on October 27, 2021338 Views

Oct. 27, 2021

Vancouver – A B.C. First Nation is challenging in court an online registry the province uses to automatically grant mineral rights on its territory.

The Gitxaala have filed a petition to the B.C. Supreme Court seeking a judicial review, arguing that the process doesn’t require the government to consult with the First Nation and simply grants the claim.

“The fact that B.C. still grants mineral claims with total disregard for Indigenous nations like Gitxaala is a damaging relic of colonialism that has no place in the present day,” hereditary Chief Matthew Hill said in a news release. “We will not allow this to continue in Gitxaala territory and that is why we’ve launched our case.”

The petition, which was filed with the court on Monday, asserts that the government didn’t fulfil its duty by granting claims without consulting the nation. It is asking the courts to quash seven mineral claims on Banks Island, south of Prince Rupert, and for the court to suspend claim staking in Gitxaala territory.