Tŝilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014
The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has never surrendered or ceded their lands.
The Tŝilhqot’in Nation began legal proceedings against British Columbia in 1989 to stop the harvesting of timber in the Tachelach’ed (Brittany Triangle) and the Trapline Territory (geographically known as the Tŝilhqot’in Claim Area).
The Judgement by Justice Vickers was proof of Aboriginal title and called to question the legitimacy of the Provincial government licensing policies within Tŝilhqot’in territory. In 2010 the Tŝilhqot’in Nation appealed the ruling by Justice Vickers and in 2012 appealed the BC Court of Appeal’s judgment.
On June 26, 2014, for the first time in Canadian history, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) declared that the Tŝilhqot’in Nation holds Aboriginal title to a portion of the territory within the area of Xeni Gwet’in (Nemiah Valley). The SCC further declared that British Columbia breached its duty to consult with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in its planning and forestry authorizations. Commonly referred to as the Tŝilhqot’in Decision, this decision allows for full ownership, benefit, and control of the Aboriginal title area by the Tŝilhqot’in people. A summary of the decision can be found here.
