The Knowledge Totem pole carved by Coast Salish artists of the Cowichan Nation stands on the front lawn of the legislature at Victoria, B.C., on May 8, 2024. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito
Hundreds of Richmond, B.C., homeowners demanded answers about possible threats to their property rights during an Oct. 28 public meeting with city officials about the implications of the landmark Cowichan Nation aboriginal title ruling.
Justice Barbara Young ruled Aug. 7 that the Cowichan Nation have rightful title over roughly 750 acres of land in Richmond due to historical residency in the location of a Cowichan village called Tl’uqtinus. Young ruled that Crown and municipal land titles were “invalid” and had “unjustifiably infringed” on Cowichan land rights. Her ruling was suspended for 18 months to provide enough time for transition of the affected land.
