LAX KLAN, DOLPHIN ISLAND, B.C. – May 29, 2025 – Gitxaała Nation’s Lu Sa Hax Hoyaxgm Wil’nat’aał, the joint committee of Hereditary Chiefs and elected Council, have reviewed the text of both Bills 14 and 15 and joining the many Indigenous leaders across the Province in condemnation of both pieces of legislation due to their fundamental inconsistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In a letter sent to Premier David Eby and members of the Provincial Cabinet before the Bills were passed, the Lu Sa Hax Hoyaxgm Wil’nat’aał expressed their concerns over the development of this legislation without the consultation and cooperation with Title and Rights holders that is legally required under BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The letter stated that this government’s empty apologies with no corrective action was an unacceptable continuation of the same colonial practices his government has committed to end.
Gitxaała’s concerns with the proposed Bills are based on a legacy and history of having our inherent and constitutionally protected Rights and Title devalued, overlooked, and set aside, without consultation, accommodation or meaningful steps towards reconciliation.
“The proposed legislation continues this legacy of ignoring our Rights and Title” said Elmer Moody, Co-Chair of LSHH, “ Even suggesting that major projects with potentially significant adverse impacts on our Nation’s Rights and Title, could be allowed through an ’expedited process‘ with no clear pathways for adequate consultation nor free, prior and informed consent goes against the Governments commitments to reconciliation and is deeply disrespectful of Gitxaała’s adaawx, ayaawx and gugwilx’ya’ansk (our history, laws, practices, and inheritance)”.
The BC Government’s promise to co-develop regulations after passing this highly problematic legislation and to uphold the Crown’s duty to consult are inadequate, as the legislation itself provides no such statements.
“As Gitxaała has experienced in court recently, the Province has repeatedly dismissed and ignored its own legal and political commitments.” said Linda Innes, Elected Chief Councillor, “The BC Government has already demonstrated that it’s commitments to reconciliation are a matter of convenience, as Gitxaała witnessed first hand when the Province’s lawyers vehemently argued against the justiciability of DRIPA in Gitxaała’s Mineral Tenure Case on appeal to the BC Court of Appeal.” Gitxaała is still waiting for the Court of Appeal’s decision on the case.
Gitxaała’s authority and jurisdiction to our territory has never been ceded or surrendered. All of Nłuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała (sacred Gitxaała Territory) is under the Nation’s jurisdiction, as these are the lands and waters that have sustained our Nation for thousands and thousands of years, and have been governed following our own processes, rules, and regulations in accordance with Gitxaała’s adaawx, ayaawx and gugwilx’ya’ansk. Despite this legal reality, Bill 14 specifically identifies a number of locations within Nłuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała.
“If the Provincial government was truly interested in ’fast-tracking’ sustainable economic development, this legislation would have explicit references to the need for consent and set clear requirements that allow Indigenous Title Holders like Gitxaała to obtain the information we require to make our own informed decisions about developments in our territories.” said Clarence Innes, Co-chair of the LSHH.
Gitxaała Nation understands Bills 14 and 15 have now passed. In response Gitxaała will continue to instruct all levels of government and any proponents seeking to develop projects in Nłuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała that the Nation’s jurisdiction and laws must be respected. This includes the identification of any projects that may be in deemed in the ‘public interest’ by the provincial or federal government. Gitxaała demands any such projects must meet the requirements of the Nation before they can be included in any ‘fast-tracked’ or ‘expedited’ processes. Gitxaała’s requirements are based on Gitxaala law and are essential to enable our Nation to provide its free, prior, and Informed consent for any development in Nłuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała.
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About Gitxaała Nation
The people of the Gitxaała Nation have lived on the North Coast of British Columbia, including the Prince Rupert Harbour Area, since time immemorial and are one of the most ancient societies in the region.
