Cariboo Nation Accuses B.C. Government of Spreading Misinformation About Aboriginal Title

The Stswēcemc Xget’tem First Nation has publicly accused the British Columbia government of spreading misinformation about Aboriginal title following the release of what the nation describes as an “inflammatory and patently false” press statement.

Chief Hillary Adam of Stswēcemc Xget’tem, a Secwēpemc nation located in the Cariboo region, expressed strong disappointment with the province’s characterization of their recent negotiations. The dispute centers on the interpretation of Aboriginal title rights and the government’s approach to consultation regarding mining activities within the nation’s traditional territory.

“The province’s statement is misleading the public about what Aboriginal title means and how it works within Canadian law,” Chief Adam said. “It undermines the very foundation of the reconciliation process we’ve been working toward.”

At issue is a recent communication from the provincial government that, according to the First Nation, incorrectly suggested that recognizing Aboriginal title would prevent economic development and mining operations in the region. The Stswēcemc Xget’tem leadership maintains that their assertion of title is not intended to halt development but rather to ensure meaningful partnership and consultation.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of British Columbia’s complex landscape of Aboriginal title claims. The landmark 2014 Supreme Court of Canada decision in Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia established that Aboriginal title constitutes a beneficial interest in the land that gives the title-holding group the right to use, control, and derive economic benefits from that territory.

Indigenous law experts note that this disagreement reflects broader tensions in how provincial governments interpret their duty to consult. Professor John Borrows, an Indigenous legal scholar at the University of Victoria, explained that “there’s often a fundamental misunderstanding about what Aboriginal title entails. It doesn’t mean exclusion of others, but rather shared decision-making and equitable participation in resource management.”

The mining sector represents a significant economic driver in the Cariboo region, with numerous operations employing local residents and contributing to provincial revenues. Industry representatives have expressed concern about regulatory uncertainty but have also acknowledged the importance of establishing clear frameworks for Indigenous participation.

“What we seek is certainty and a clear path forward,” said Michael Davidson, CEO of the Regional Mining Association. “Most companies understand that meaningful partnerships with First Nations are not just legally required but make good business sense in the long run.”

The Stswēcemc Xget’tem First Nation has emphasized that they support sustainable economic development that respects their rights and includes them as economic partners. Their leadership points to successful resource development agreements between other First Nations and industry partners as models for what can be achieved through good-faith negotiations.

“We are not opposed to responsible development,” Chief Adam clarified. “What we oppose is being excluded from decisions that affect our traditional territories and having our constitutional rights misrepresented to the public.”

The provincial government, through its Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has indicated it remains committed to the reconciliation process but maintains that its communications accurately reflect current legal frameworks.

This disagreement emerges as British Columbia continues to develop its approach to implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which the province adopted into law in 2019. The declaration’s provisions for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent have created new expectations for how governments engage with Indigenous communities on resource development projects.

Legal observers suggest this public dispute signals growing frustration among First Nations about the gap between the province’s reconciliation rhetoric and its practical implementation of Indigenous rights frameworks.

As this situation develops, both industry stakeholders and other First Nations throughout British Columbia are watching closely, recognizing that how this conflict resolves could set important precedents for future resource development negotiations in the province.