Who Really Owns the Land? A Look at BC’s Aboriginal Title Battle

Save
Who Really Owns the Land? A Look at BC’s Aboriginal Title Battle
Houses and farmland along No. 6 Road and Country Meadows Golf Course, which fall within the boundaries of a Cowichan Nation aboriginal title claim, in Richmond, B.C., on Aug. 22, 2025. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck
Updated:

In-Depth

It was a court ruling heard across the country. In August, the B.C. Supreme Court found that the Cowichan Nation has aboriginal title claim to more than 700 acres of land in Richmond. As controversy heats up and court battles mount, you might be wondering what it all means—and if your own private property might be at risk.

The precedent set in this case is already causing major implications for all private property—whether you own a small condo, a shopping mall, a restaurant, or a 20,000-acre ranch. Before we get into that, a quick primer on what aboriginal title is will help clarify this complex situation.

AD