(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

DRIPA

Kamloops councillor, MLA hoping to have more input as B.C. mulls plan to weaken DRIPA

Mar 25, 2026 | 5:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — The BC Government is working to weaken the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), according to a confidential letter and document sent to some First Nations leaders that were viewed by The Canadian Press this week.

Talks began today with different First Nations across British Columbia, more formal discussions are set to held on Wednesday next week, April 1.

Kamloops councillor Bill Sarai says if any changes are made, there should be consultation with local governments. 

“We want to be at that table. If the BC chiefs are there representing First Nations, it would be the responsible thing to do,” Sarai said. “We need someone representing the voices of the municipality to be in those talks.”

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Ward Stamer, the MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, said the province not being open to discussions hurts the ability of opposition MLAs like himself to challenge the bill when changes come through the Legislature.

“Without at least having an opportunity to talk about it before it’s even unrolled, it makes it very difficult for us to make an informed decision,” said Stamer. 

Sarai says DRIPA – which was passed in 2019 – has created too many grey areas with ongoing legal battles like one at a Kamloops North Shore house, where two human skulls were found.

“Not everybody was at the table when they made these decisions up in the process. But it’s all over the map from Victoria to Prince George,” Sarai said. “What is UNDRIP? What is DRIPA? What does archeology look like? It’s all over the map and the processes are not being followed universally throughout the province.”

Stamer believes the B.C. Government should have been more transparent, and he hopes they provide adequate time for debate in Victoria.

“It doesn’t help when the when the provincial government is constantly working behind our backs doing stuff and then we end up hearing about it later and again,” Stamer said. “We will find out in the coming days and weeks exactly what we’re going to be doing on this file, and then we’ll be able to determine exactly what makes the most sense going forward.”

Whatever changes are made with or without municipal engagement, Sarai hopes that those grey areas are cleared up, so it allows for straightforward declarations.

“We should not be interpreting provincial policy and governance,” he said. “It should be clear to us what it means and what it means for the First Nations.”