Overview

• The notices of appeal follow an August decision that recognized Cowichan Tribes’ Aboriginal title over roughly 7.5 square kilometres in Richmond and fishing rights along the Fraser River’s south arm.
• Justice Barbara Young found Crown and City of Richmond grants unjustifiably infringed Cowichan title and declared those titles defective and invalid, while private titles were not sought to be invalidated.
• Musqueam says Tsawwassen supports its appeal and is pursuing its own, after both nations opposed Cowichan’s claim during the 513‑day trial along with federal, provincial and municipal parties and the port authority.
• B.C. has pledged to appeal, with Attorney General Niki Sharma warning of significant unintended consequences for private property rights, as Richmond’s mayor says the ruling compromises the province’s land title system.
• Cowichan’s chief says the nation plans to restore former village lands on the Fraser, and the court says B.C. owes a duty to negotiate in good faith reconciliation of Crown‑granted fee‑simple interests held by third parties.