On June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Tsilhqot'in v. British Columbia, a landmark case on Aboriginal rights and title involving the Tsilhqot'in Nation's claim for Aboriginal title to over 4,000 km2 of land west of Williams Lake in British Columbia.
In a unanimous decision, the Court confirmed the Tsilhqot'in hold Aboriginal title to a significant portion of the land they claim as their traditional territory. This is the first judicial finding of Aboriginal title anywhere in Canada. The principles set out in the decision will affect land use and resource development throughout the Province. They will also affect the Province's approach to governance of the land base and its resources.
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