MEDIA ADVISORY – April 5, 2023
VANCOUVER / xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh & səlilwətaʔɬ territories
BC Supreme Court set to hear arguments tomorrow from Indigenous groups, First Nations, public interest organizations and mining businesses challenging BC’s “free entry” system.
Media are invited to an online media briefing, Thursday, April 6 at 8:30am PT, co-hosted by Gitxaała Nation and aligned intervenors in Gitxaała’s ongoing legal challenge. The ground-breaking case is being heard at the BC Supreme Court from April 3-14, 2023.
What: BC Supreme Court hearings are currently underway in Gitxaała’s landmark legal challenge against BC’s “free entry” mineral tenure regime, which currently grants mineral claims without Indigenous consultation or consent. A related legal challenge by the Ehattesaht First Nation is also being heard at the same time.
On April 6, the Court is scheduled to hear from aligned Indigenous nations, Indigenous political organizations, mineral exploration companies and community groups intervening to argue against BC’s outdated system for granting mineral rights. Several of these groups, representing a wide array of voices calling for mineral tenure reform in BC, will hold a joint press briefing ahead of Thursday’s hearing.
When: April 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. PT
Where: Zoom (register here)
Who:
- Gitxaała Sm’ooygit Nees Hiwaas (Matthew Hill)
- Linda Innes, Gitxaała Chief Councillor
- Naxginkw (Tara Marsden), Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs
- Nuskmata (Jacinda Mack), Mining Spokesperson, Nuxalk Nation
- Kukpi7 Justin Kane, Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation
- Councillor Fred Sam, Nak’azdli First Nation
- Jamie Kneen, MiningWatch Canada and Co-Chair, BC Mining Law Reform Network
- Robert Phillips, Political Executive, First Nations Summit
- Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Contact information:
James Herbert, Senior Advisor, Gitxaała Territorial Management Agency
778-881-1534, senioradvisor.gtma@gitxaalanation.com
