SKEENA NEWS REPORT — First Nations leaders across British Columbia have issued a powerful joint statement criticizing calls to amend the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The statement, released on December 22, 2025, comes in direct response to Premier David Eby’s suggestion that legislative changes may be necessary following a landmark court ruling on mining rights.
The joint statement, endorsed by more than 50 First Nations as well as the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, and the First Nations Summit, describes the talk of amending the act as a “fear-based response” that risks undoing years of progress toward reconciliation.
The Mining Tenure Ruling: A Catalyst for Tension
The controversy stems from a December 5, 2025, B.C. Appeal Court decision regarding the province’s mining tenure system. The court ruled that the current automated online system for staking mineral claims is inconsistent with Indigenous rights because it excludes First Nations from consultation.
Critically, the court determined that DRIPA is not merely symbolic; it incorporates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into B.C. law with immediate legal effect.
Premier Eby responded to the ruling by expressing concern that it puts “courts in the driver’s seat instead of British Columbians,” warning of potential “confusion” and “litigation” that could create economic uncertainty.
“Grind Projects to a Halt”
In their joint statement, Indigenous leaders warned that any attempt to “water down” the legislation would be counterproductive.
- Litigation Risk: Changing the law would “grind projects to a halt,” as Nations would be forced to defend their rights through lengthy and costly court battles.
- Historical Context: The leaders noted that a “negative narrative” has taken hold that wrongly blames First Nations for economic uncertainty while ignoring the fact that B.C. was largely settled without treaties.
- Call to Action: The statement calls on the Premier to “slow down, take stock, and reflect” and to choose negotiation over division.
Chief Councillor Chris McKnight’s Warning
The joint statement follows an open letter sent days earlier by Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation Chief Councillor Chris McKnight. McKnight warned Premier Eby that changing the act could fuel racist narratives and cause the provincial government to lose the trust of Indigenous communities.
McKnight emphasized that the Declaration Act is a “proud symbol of reconciliation” and that the Appeal Court’s decision simply requires the government to abide by the rules it created itself.
