Cowichan Tribes decision: What does it really mean? – APTN News

Nov 04, 2025

In August, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the Cowichan Tribes have Aboriginal title over a portion of the land on the Fraser River, that Crown and city titles on the land are defective, and the granting of private titles by the government unjustifiably infringed on Cowichan title.

The case centered around Aboriginal title to approximately 750 hectares (1,846 acres) of their traditional village Tl’uqtinus and surrounding lands on the south shore of Lulu Island.

“The plaintiffs, on their own behalf and on behalf of the descendants of the historic Cowichan Nation, brought this action seeking a declaration of Aboriginal title to their traditional village of Tl’uqtinus on the south arm of the Fraser River, and to its surrounding lands and submerged lands. They also seek a declaration of an Aboriginal right to fish the south arm of the Fraser River for food,” the B.C. court decision starts. “The Claim Area, which the plaintiffs call the Lands of Tl’uqtinus, is located on what is now the south shore of Lulu Island, across from Tilbury Island, in Richmond, British Columbia.

Read More: https://www.aptnnews.ca/topic/cowichan-tribes-decision/