By Michael Reeve

Indigenous Reconciliation

‘A slap in the face’; BCAFN opposed to any changes to current DRIPA legislation

Dec 8, 2025 | 5:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — A recent B.C. Court of Appeal decision has both major parties in the legislature debating the impacts of the declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act (DRIPA).

Following the ruling, the opposition BC Conservatives are calling for the full repeal of the act, while the governing NDP have admitted they may need to tweak the legislation. In Vancouver Monday (Dec. 8), Eby rejected calls to recall the legislature from its winter break.

In the meantime, the B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) says the ruling was a victory and a major step in reconciliation.

“Any amendments or any repeal of DRIPA is a slap in the face of many first nations across this province,” BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee told CFJC Today. “This was an agreement that we made back in 2019 with the support of all parties in the legislature.”

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“A repeal or any amendments would weaken the relationship, it isn’t part of reconciliation.”

While the most recent case related to mineral extraction, Teegee feels a number of B.C. laws need to be better aligned with the declaration, adding now is not the time to step backwards.

“Certainly if any amendments occur that could potentially reverse what we were trying to do, and I think there would be a lineup of court cases if there was any tinkering with DRIPA,” Teegee said.

“What I would like to see is more collaborative engagement and working with many of our First Nations for a full implementation of DRIPA, and I think industry needs to come on board as well.”