The head of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations in the region has criticized David Eby for what he perceives as insincere consultation efforts in his proposed changes to the province’s reconciliation law just before the premier’s meeting with chiefs from across British Columbia. Eby, in anticipation of the meeting, acknowledged the growing pressure he is under regarding his amendments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Over 100 First Nations and Indigenous groups have expressed opposition to any alterations to DRIPA, fearing a dilution of the government’s reconciliation commitment.
Eby emphasized the necessity of providing clarity to British Columbians regarding DRIPA and private property, stressing the non-negotiable stance of the provincial government. Terry Teegee, the regional chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, characterized this juncture as pivotal for the premier. Teegee criticized the province’s consultation process with chiefs as inadequate, highlighting a lack of substantial discussion on the proposed amendments shared confidentially with First Nations leaders.
To access the amendments, chiefs were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and had a limited timeframe of five business days to respond. Teegee expressed skepticism about Eby’s intentions, questioning the purpose of discussing non-negotiable amendments with First Nations leaders. He labeled the negotiations as lacking good faith and consultation, signaling a breakdown in the partnership that was once established.
The DRIPA was unanimously passed in 2019, establishing British Columbia as the first Canadian jurisdiction to enshrine the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into law. Eby committed to introducing amendments to DRIPA before the conclusion of the spring session, citing recent court rulings that necessitated swift corrections to address legal uncertainties stemming from Aboriginal title and mineral claims disputes.
Eby acknowledged the rushed nature of the amendment process, which bypassed the typical co-development approach with First Nations. He pledged to engage in further discussions with chiefs to navigate concerns raised following the court decisions, emphasizing the preservation of relationships with Indigenous communities. Opposition and uncertainty persist among some British Columbians, demanding transparency and a clear timeline for the introduction of the DRIPA amendments.