We are aware of the BC Supreme Court of British Columbia decision in favour of the Cowichan Alliance’s claims of Aboriginal title to 780 acres in south Richmond, British Columbia, on the south arm of the Fraser River (in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490).
The Cowichan Alliance is a group of First Nations, including the Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Halalt First Nation that sought declarations of Aboriginal title over approximately 1,846 acres on Lulu Island (now part of the City of Richmond, B.C.), including submerged lands in the Fraser River, and an Aboriginal right to fish for food on the river’s south arm. Six defendants opposed the claim, including the federal and provincial governments, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), the City of Richmond, the Musqueam Indian Band and the Tsawwassen First Nation. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) was not a party to the litigation.
The BC Supreme Court began hearing the case in 2019 and handed down its decision in favour of the Cowichan Alliance on August 7th, 2025. As the decision by the court is extremely lengthy (863 pages), it will take time for our legal team to thoroughly review and determine whether there are any potential implications concerning rights and title for other First Nations, including the Squamish Nation.
We will keep you informed as we learn more about this decision.