The Gitxaała Nation has filed a Notice of Civil Claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, challenging the provincial and federal governments, as well as the Prince Rupert Port Authority, over their failure to properly consult the Nation on development in the Prince Rupert Harbour Area. The claim asserts that the Crown has ignored Gitxaała’s strong evidence of continuous occupation of the area, including historical and cultural documentation from Gitxaała knowledge holders and independent experts. The Nation argues that their rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples have been violated.
Gitxaała is seeking justice and respect for their inherent rights, aiming to address the Crowns’ inaccurate assessments and the exclusion of the Nation from meaningful consultation and economic opportunities. The Nation also criticizes the Crown’s approach to consultation, claiming it fosters division among Indigenous groups and pressures them to compromise their rights for the sake of development. Through this legal action, Gitxaała aims to ensure a fair, evidence-based process and secure a more equitable future for its people.
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