Okanagan Nation Alliance File Lawsuit Challenging British Columbia Treaty Process

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) has filed legal action against the Province of British Columbia. The legal action will directly challenge the much-criticized British Columbia Treaty Process.

“This lawsuit should come as no surprise to the Province,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. “The British Columbia Treaty Process is a broken system that fails to recognize established legal principles, traditional protocols, and our Title and Rights. By this lawsuit, we intend to put the Province’s pattern of dishonourable and unlawful conduct before the court.”

The ONA’s legal action resulted from the Province’s decision to sign an “Incremental Treaty Agreement” with the Ktunaxa Nation Council to transfer approximately 241 hectares of land near Nakusp in the Arrow Lakes area as part of an early transfer of lands that will form part of a final Treaty.

The Province did not consult with the ONA before signing the agreement, despite the fact that the area includes important village sites, hunting grounds, and cultural heritage sites for the ONA communities and their members.