Friday September 26, 2025 | SOOKE, BC
Opinion-Editorial by Katherine Strongwind | Published by Island Social Trends
During the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria yesterday, Leader of the Official Opposition, John Rustad, included in his remarks what he feels is the importance of not overlaying DRIPA requirements on the economy and communities of British Columbia and in particular that Indigenous land rights and private property land rights cannot co-exist.
In response, this is an opinion from Katherine Strongwind, Founder and Director, 60s Scoop Legacy of Canada, Co-founder, Walking Together – Sooke and Westshore Residents for Reconciliation:
“John Rustad’s pledge to repeal DRIPA is a step backward for reconciliation and for the future of British Columbia. DRIPA was enacted to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to guide our province forward toward respectful, collaborative relationships with First Nations.
“His comments today, during a month of reflection and reconciliation, reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Indigenous law and coexistence. The BC Supreme Court’s decision affirms that Aboriginal title can exist alongside private property rights—a principle that strengthens, not weakens, our legal framework.
“We must move forward—not backward. That means upholding DRIPA, respecting court decisions, and embracing reconciliation not as a slogan, but as a shared responsibility.”
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