Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) Nation Chiefs, Chief Sulsulxumaat, Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes, Chief Tholmen, John Elliott, Stz’uminus First Nation, Chief Chakeenakwaut, Pam Jack, Penelakut Tribe, Chief Sulsimutstun, James Thomas, Halalt First Nation, and Chief Laxele’wuts’aat, Shana Thomas, Lyackson First Nation, have released the following statement about negotiations:

“B.C. and the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) Nation are in negotiations following the B.C. Supreme Court’s declaration recognizing that Cowichan Nation holds Aboriginal title to lands of their village site at Tl’utqinus, located in what is now the City of Richmond.

“The Cowichan Nation respectfully did not seek to invalidate any privately held fee simple titles. Instead, the Cowichan Nation sought and received a court declaration that the British Columbia government has a duty to the Cowichan Nation to negotiate in good faith the reconciliation of these continuing Crown granted fee simple interests with the pre-existing Cowichan Nation Aboriginal title, in a manner consistent with the honour of the Crown.

“Both parties are also proceeding with their appeals to the British Columbia Court of Appeal. For transparency, neither the Cowichan Nation nor British Columbia are seeking to invalidate any privately held fee simple titles on the Cowichan Title Lands through the negotiation or appeal processes.”