Notable Cases in Aboriginal Law | Tsilhqot’in v. British Columbia

Notable Cases in Aboriginal Law | Tsilhqot’in v. British Columbia

Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of Canada and the first case to successfully establish a declaration of Aboriginal title over land that a nation had historically occupied. After 5 years at trial, both the federal and provincial governments opposed the title claim which resulted in a final appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court, led by McLachlin CJ, unanimously allowed the appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Tsilhqot’in people were entitled to a declaration of Aboriginal title to the 1,750 square kilometer region they had historically occupied.