Kwikwetlem First Nation Land Claim
The Kwikwetlem First Nation filed a B.C. Supreme Court claim in 2016 for Aboriginal title to approximately five square kilometers in Port Coquitlam, which includes significant provincial lands and regional parks. They assert exclusive historical use of these lands for harvesting and spiritual activities, while currently having limited usable reserve land. A recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling favoring the Cowichan Tribes has heightened scrutiny on Aboriginal title claims, raising concerns among property owners about potential impacts on privately held land. This ruling has prompted appeals from the province, federal government, and affected First Nations, seeking to clarify the coexistence of Aboriginal and private property rights.
