Current Problems:
Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of British Columbia"
Updates on this page: 40
(Filtered by Theme "Court Cases")
November 5, 2024
Sentencing of Tiny House Warriors involved in TMX confrontation adjourned to 2025
Members of the Tiny House Warriors display red dresses and cloth to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls along the perimeter of a camp that once housed 550 Trans Mountain pipeline workers in Secwepemcúl’ecw in Blue River, B.C., in April 2022. Photo: Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative. APTN News: The sentencing for four...
November 5, 2024
Defence questions reliability of RCMP officer’s report on Wet’suwet’en Coastal GasLink blockade
Abuse of process hearing resumes in Smithers, B.C., courtroom CBC Indigenous: A lawyer representing three people arrested for blocking work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline questioned whether an RCMP officer’s report on an encounter with blockade members was reliable, on Monday in B.C. Supreme Court in Smithers. Justice Michael Tammen is hearing an abuse of process application brought...
October 29, 2024
B.C. First Nation launches court challenge over LNG plant effect on salmon
A photo of the Nass River, a highway for many Gitanyow salmon. Gitanyow leadership are concerned that those salmon are at risk because of a proposed LNG project, and yet, they remain outside of the scope of its consultation. Photo by Miko Fox / Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Listen to article Canada’s National Observer:A First Nation...
October 7, 2024
Certification hearing for lawsuit involving off reserve Indigenous children in care begins in B.C.
APTN News: A certification hearing is underway at the Supreme Court of British Columbia on a class action brought on behalf of all off-reserve Indigenous children in British Columbia who were removed from their homes and taken into care since 1992. Lawyers representing them say many were taken away from their culture, families and many were...
September 9, 2024
Kanien’kehá:ka man on why he joined B.C. pipeline blockade
Corey Jocko testifies in support of abuse-of-process application CBC Indigenous: A Coastal GasLink blockade participant told a B.C. Supreme Court hearing on Monday that going to Wet’suwt’en territory gave him closure after being arrested in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ont., during the Shut Down Canada movement. The movement was a series of protests and blockades that took place across...
September 6, 2024
Coastal GasLink blockade participant recounts ‘joyful’ life at Wet’suwet’en camp
Shaylynn Sampson says police dropped her cedar headband on the ground CBC Indigenous: A woman who was arrested at a blockade of construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline told court Thursday that her time at the camp was “joyful.” Shaylynn Sampson, a Gitxsan woman with Wet’suwet’en family ties, was questioned by defence lawyer Frances Mahon...
September 5, 2024
Crown suggests RCMP acted fairly in Wet’suwet’en leader’s arrest
New video shown by Crown during hearing for Wet’suwet’en leader’s abuse-of-process claim CBC Indigenous: A Crown lawyer suggested the RCMP behaved reasonably in the circumstances as she cross-examined a Wet’suwet’en leader arrested for blockading the Coastal GasLink pipeline in 2021. Crown lawyer Kathryn Costain is questioning Sleydo’, also known as Molly Wickham, a wing chief of...
September 3, 2024
Disturbing audio played during Wet’suwet’en’ hearing
Creepy radio transmission of children singing played in court The Tyee: The abuse of process application brought by a Wet’suwet’en leader and members of a blockade who were found guilty of criminal contempt of court for stopping work on the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline was back in court on Tuesday. The application began in January for Sleydo’,...
September 2, 2024
B.C. community groups and First Nation file court challenge against regulator over pipeline
Kolin Sutherland-Wilson is shown at the legislature in Victoria, Saturday, Feb.8, 2020. Photo by: the Canadian Press/Dirk MeissnerListen to article Canada’s National Observer: A coalition of community groups and a First Nation in Northern British Columbia have launched a court challenge against the BC Energy Regulator (BCER). They say the regulator is bypassing legal requirements...
July 25, 2024
Can a lake become a person in law? A B.C. First Nation wants to find out
The concept of personhood for elements of nature is not new. The Sumas valley in late November 2021 after flooding temporarily turned it back into Sumas Lake. Photo: The City of Abbotsford APTN News: A First Nation in B.C. likes the idea of restoring Sumas Lake in the southern part of B.C. back to its...
July 16, 2024
Convicted of defrauding Indigenous youth, B.C. social worker earns full parole
Robert Riley Saunders was a social worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in B.C. Photo: APTN file APTN News: convicted fraudster who stole thousands of dollars from vulnerable Indigenous youth has been granted full parole. Convicted of misappropriating more than $460,000 in 2022, Robert Riley Saunders was a social worker with the...
July 8, 2024
Blueberry River First Nations Returns to Court to Uphold Treaty Rights and Enforce Landmark Agreement
NationTalk: BLUEBERRY RIVER FIRST NATIONS, BC – Blueberry River First Nations (Blueberry) has filed a Notice of Civil Claim (NOCC) against the Province of British Columbia (the Province) in order to protect Blueberry’s Treaty rights and enforce the Province’s constitutional, fiduciary and contractual obligations. In January 2023, Blueberry and the Province reached an historic agreement...
July 3, 2024
B.C. hereditary chief gets house arrest for pipeline blockade
Chief invoked Wet’suwet’en law for protecting land and water against Coastal GasLink CBC News: A Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief will serve a 60-day jail sentence under house arrest for disrupting pipeline construction through Wet’suwet’en traditional territory in northern British Columbia in October 2021. “A jail sentence is required in this case,” said Justice Michael Tammen as...
June 11, 2024
Canada: International Delegation to Attend Trial of Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders
NationTalk: A delegation of Amnesty International representatives from France, Germany, the United States and Canada will attend the trials of criminalized land defenders from the Wet’suwet’en Nation in Smithers, British Columbia the week of 17 June. The delegates will be there to watch the criminal court proceedings and be in solidarity with the criminalized defenders,...
May 28, 2024
Woman questions court’s authority, cites Indigenous rights; her case involves Victoria police chief
Kati George-Jim is charged with obstructing police as they tried to arrest a person believed to have thrown water on the police chief at a memorial The Tyee: The Times Colonist – A T’Sou-ke woman on trial for obstructing Victoria police officers trying to arrest another person believed to have thrown water on the chief...
May 16, 2024
Mother, stepfather sentenced to 15 years in prison for horrific death of 6-year-old son
Hesquiat boy Dontay Lucas died in Port Alberni in 2018 of blunt-force trauma to the head WARNING: This story contains details of violence and child abuse. The mother and stepfather of deceased Hesquiat boy Dontay Lucas were both sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for manslaughter in the disturbing killing of the six-year-old in...
May 1, 2024
When your duty to protect the land clashes with settler laws
By Sidney Coles | Opinion | May 1st 2024 Rainbow Eyes in traditional headwear at Fairy Creek. Photo by Glenn Reid Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: OPINION – In British Columbia, Indigenous Peoples are expected to move seamlessly between two worlds and two sets of laws — sacred law and colonial law. When these are in conflict, they are asked...
April 24, 2024
Green deputy leader sentenced to 60 days for Fairy Creek old-growth protests
Angela Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyes, was convicted in January of seven counts of criminal contempt for breaching a court injunction and later her bail conditions. Photo by Glenn Reid Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: The Canadian Press– OTTAWA — The Green Party is decrying a 60-day sentence handed to its deputy leader today...
March 13, 2024
B.C. judge warns of ‘tsunami’ of Indigenous identity fraud cases
Baptist pastor charged with possessing child pornography claimed Métis status based on great-great-grandparent WARNING: This story contains details of child sexual exploitation and pornography. CBC News: After he was charged with possessing child pornography, Nathan Allen Joseph Legault discovered a figure from his past he hoped might help with his future. The Prince Rupert, B.C., man...
February 28, 2024
First Nations praise ruling ‘forcing’ Crown to protect interests
Chief says partial win at top court could change dynamic in relationship with resource industries CBC Indigenous: For decades, Stellat’en Chief Robert Michell says his First Nation has been caught in a loop of frustration when demanding change to deal with problems caused by the Kenney Dam. The company which operates both the dam and an associated reservoir...
February 21, 2024
Wet’suwet’en Law Cannot ‘Coexist’ with BC Court Order, Judge Determines
Chief Dsta’hyl has been found guilty of criminal contempt. The Tyee: The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that a traditional Wet’suwet’en trespass law cannot “coexist” with the injunction order issued to Coastal GasLink in response to pipeline protests from the nation’s hereditary leadership. As a result, Chief Dsta’hyl, a Wing Chief of the Likhts’amisyu Clan of...
January 27, 2024
Judge overturns landmark $150K human rights award for mother who claimed discrimination
Decision says human rights tribunal asked wrong questions and erred in law in landmark decision CBC Indigenous: A B.C. Supreme Court judge has overturned a landmark human rights tribunal decision awarding $150,000 to a mother who claimed she was discriminated against by Canada’s longest-serving Indigenous child-care agency. In the original decision, tribunal member Devyn Cousineau found the Vancouver...
January 5, 2024
First Nation appeals court decision
B.C. Supreme Court ruling could transform the mining claims system in Canada Fly camp with Lindquist Peak in the distance on the Deer Horn property, 120 kilometres south of Smithers, B.C. Courtesy of Tony Fogarassy First People’s Law Report: CIM Magazine – Leaders of the Gitxaała Nation applauded a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that...
December 17, 2023
Ktunaxa First Nation responds to lawsuit
(Adobe stock photo) First Peoples Law Report: Last month Ktunaxa First Nation responded to Taranis Resources Inc’s lawsuit regarding the Thor copper project near Trout Lake in Ktunaxa’s traditional territory northeast of Nakusp. “The best way for British Columbia to ensure Ktunaxa rights are protected is to receive our free prior and informed consent, which,...
December 9, 2023
U.S. Indigenous group in Canada competes for territorial claims against Canadian Indigenous nations
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPEINTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT NELSON, B.C. FOR SUBSCRIBERS The Globe and Mail: PUBLISHED YESTERDAY UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO A U.S. Indigenous group has established a formal presence in British Columbia and is pushing for government recognition and funding, two years after a Canadian Supreme Court ruling declared it “an Aboriginal people of Canada.” The office of the Sinixt...
December 1, 2023
Divesting the RCMP of Abuse Investigations in Indigenous Communities
The BC First Nations Justice Council testified about culturally appropriate policing alternatives at a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearing. Amanda Follett Hosgood 1 Dec 2023The Tyee Amanda Follett Hosgood is The Tyee’s northern B.C. reporter. She lives in Wet’suwet’en territory. Find her on Twitter @amandajfollett. The Tyee: The BC First Nations Justice Council says it has already...
November 30, 2023
Woman arrested during Wet’suwet’en pipeline blockade found not guilty
Sabina Dennis was acquitted on 1 charge of criminal contempt in B.C. Supreme Court Jackie McKay · CBC News · Posted: Nov 29, 2023 10:08 PM EST | Last Updated: November 30 CBC Indigenous: Posted: Nov 29, 2023 10:08 PM EST | Last Updated: November 30 B.C.’s Supreme Court has ruled that a person charged with contempt of court...
November 27, 2023
‘This justice system is failing our people’: Report meant to help Indigenous people in court often causes harm
In response to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project (also known as TMX), elders of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in B.C. asked Will George to “warrior up” and defend their land and waterways. “It was quite the honour to be recognized … to be selected from the community to do this very important work for our...
November 20, 2023
BC Granted ‘Limited’ Status in Human Rights Inquiry
The province says it was only alerted by the RCMP to the ongoing hearings in July. The Tyee: B.C.’s attorney general has been denied full party status in an ongoing Canadian Human Rights Tribunal inquiry into the RCMP’s handling of historical abuse allegations at northern B.C. schools. Instead, the tribunal granted the province “limited interested person status,”...
November 10, 2023
Indigenous mom’s discrimination payout hangs in the balance at B.C. Supreme Court
Child welfare agency tells court that tribunal ‘exceeded its jurisdiction’ in landmark ruling, which found VACFSS social workers relied on racist stereotypes Content warning: This story deals with child apprehension and discrimination against an Indigenous mother. Please look after your spirit and read with care. First Peoples Law Report: An Afro-Indigenous mother sat quietly in...
November 8, 2023
Disagreement among Treaty 8 nations create more uncertainty for B.C. natural gas industry
Blueberry River First Nation Chief Judy Desjarlais at signing ceremony for the Blueberry River Implementation Agreement in January. | BC Government First Peoples Law Report: BIV – Business Intelligence for BC: A legal challenge by Treaty 8 First Nations to an agreement the B.C. government struck with the Blueberry River First Nation is adding to...
October 20, 2023
‘He ruined so many lives’: Victim speaks out over release of social worker
Robert Riley Saunders was a social worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Facebook. APTN News: A victim of social worker Robert Riley Saunders is speaking out after the man who was sentenced to prison for stealing money from Indigenous youth was released on parole. “The reality is that he ruined so many...
October 18, 2023
B.C. imprisons people we should listen to
Swaysən Will George outside the courthouse in Vancouver. Photo by Donna Clark Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: Swaysən Will George’s name in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ means, “When he speaks, they listen.” The B.C. Supreme Court did not seem to be listening well to Tsleil-Waututh member Will George when they sentenced him to 28 days in jail for upholding his sacred responsibility...
August 14, 2023
Judge ‘erred’ in conviction of Elder after TMX pipe ceremony, higher court rules
Charges have been dropped against watch house guardian Jim Leyden after the B.C. Appeal Court set aside Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick’s ruling IndigiNews: A B.C. Supreme Court judge made an error when she convicted an Elder after he held a pipe ceremony outside of a Trans Mountain terminal, according to a ruling from the province’s highest...
August 6, 2023
Whose Sovereignty? A BC Court Decision Exposes Holes in Colonial Logic
The Nuchatlaht sought to claim title to traditional territory. A ruling dealt a blow to coastal First Nations. The Tyee: First Peoples Law Report – In June, the B.C. Supreme Court issued its decision in The Nuchatlaht v. British Columbia. The court held that the Nuchatlaht failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish their claim to Aboriginal...
July 27, 2023
RECONCILIATION AND ABORIGINAL TITLE: CASE COMMENT ON THE NUCHATLAHT V BRITISH COLUMBIA
By Kate Gunn and Nico McKay Last month, the BC Supreme Court issued its decision in The Nuchatlaht v British Columbia. The Court held that the Nuchatlaht failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish their claim to Aboriginal title on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The decision represents a setback both for the Nuchatlaht and for the...
March 17, 2023
Gitxsan family wins full custody over child in controversial case
Child’s maternal Gitxsan family fought courts for custody, and paternal family over Métis claims There were hugs and cheers in a packed Hazelton courthouse on Thursday as a B.C. judge granted permanent custody to the family of a Gitxsan child whose fate has been up in the air until now. “I was so relieved it’s all...
February 10, 2023
A First Nation Sued BC. Then Came a Gas Drilling Frenzy
Now that the Blueberry River First Nations have won a historic agreement, they face thousands of wells greenlit by the regulator. NationTalk: The Tyee: When the Blueberry River First Nations took the provincial government to court in March 2015, arguing that cumulative industrial developments had robbed them of their ability to hunt and fish, oil...
March 17, 2022
Class Action Lawsuit for government use of Birth Alerts to apprehend Indigenous babies
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs – Earlier this week, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Winnipeg against the province of Manitoba regarding the controversial and discriminatory practice of Birth Alerts. The basis for the claim is that Birth Alerts are unconstitutional and are a Human Rights violation. “The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) has been a...
July 2, 2020
Supreme Court: Trans Mountain Pipeline appeal
BIV – Business in Vancouver – The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal of the federal government’s approval of the $12.6 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which is already under construction. The Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish First Nations and Coldwater Indian Band had appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada to hear...