Published 9 days ago

North Coast First Nation sues Canada, B.C. and Prince Rupert Port

The Gitxaała Nation is suing the federal and provincial governments and the Prince Rupert Port Authority in the BC Supreme Court for failing to consult on land and resource decisions, resulting in cultural and economic losses for the Nation.
The lawsuit claims that the Crown has ignored Gitxaała's rights and evidence of their historical occupation of the Prince Rupert Harbour area, including Kaien Island and the mouth of the Skeena River.
The Nation is seeking a declaration that the defendants violated their duty to consult and failed to uphold obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Constitution Act, 1982.
The elected Chief Councillor of Gitxaała Nation stated that consultation is treated as a box-ticking exercise rather than a core part of reconciliation, leading to risks for the Nation without economic benefits.