Following Premier David Eby’s announcement that he intends to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), over 100 BC First Nations have signed a joint statement objecting to the changes.
DRIPA was established by the BC government in November 2019. It was unanimously passed to align provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
This act was meant to be a framework for reconciliation, respecting Indigenous rights, improving legal consistency and creating transparency in the relationship between the Province and Indigenous Peoples.
The intended amendments stem from a court decision made in early December 2025, when the BC Court of Appeal ruled that the Province’s mineral claim system, the Mineral Tenure Act, was incompatible with DRIPA.
Essentially, the court found that BC’s current “free-entry” Mineral Tenure Act is what should be amended, as it did not align with DRIPA. To align with the Declaration Act, First Nations consultation would be required.
This caused Eby to express concern over “judicial overreach” in matters between the Province and First Nations.
Premier Eby says that the court’s decision to block a mining operation could set a standard and “destabilize economic development” in resource projects.
Eby has stated that his government will introduce amendments to DRIPA that would remove courts’ influence in resource matters. On January 29th, Eby announced that these amendments would be introduced in the spring legislative session.
First Nations leaders were subsequently asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before being able to consult on the intended amendments.
Because of this, First Nations are speaking out against the Province’s proposal to amend DRIPA.
The joint statement that over 100 BC First Nations and First Nations organizations have signed calls on Premier Eby to uphold DRIPA.
“Recent calls to amend the Declaration Act or appeal court rulings are rooted in this fear-based response,” reads the joint statement.
“They suggest that the framework we have built together is the problem, when in fact it has been part of the solution.”
The statement notes that the Province’s actions would not create certainty, but they would slow progress, increase litigation and grind projects to a halt as First Nations are once again forced to defend their rights and interests through the courts.
To conclude the statement, the collective First Nations called on British Columbians to reflect on the good that has come from DRIPA, while also calling on Premier Eby to uphold the act.
See the joint statement in full on the Union of BC Indian Chiefs website. The document is being updated as more First Nations and First Nations organizations sign.
