Chief warns repealing Indigenous rights law would be ‘a declaration of war’

Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says his government will repeal DRIPA, likely next spring.

The day after the election, premier-designate Lorne Doerkson said the Conservatives remain committed to repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which the legislature passed unanimously in 2019.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said First Nations would not stand by while the law is scrapped, calling such a move “a declaration of war.”

Doerkson said the law has created more problems than it solved. He said a shortened fall sitting is being considered, so repeal is unlikely before spring. The act remains in force.

Source: Global News（Amy Judd、Angela Jung）: B.C. First Nations chief warns ripping up DRIPA is a ‘declaration of war’