In response to Premier David Eby’s course reversals on suspending the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), one First Nations leader calls on the premier to commit to the legislation.

Bob Chamberlain slams Eby for requesting dedication from First Nations to work together on changes to DRIPA over the government’s concerns around property rights following court rulings.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!

He argues that while Indigenous peoples have done their work, it is the province that has not – neither in the past nor now.

“This situation has been evolving for decades now, and what has been missing was the true honour of the Crown showing up the appropriate decisions on human rights for First Nations,” the chairman of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance told 1130 NewsRadio.

“And of course, these rights are constitutionally protected.”

Chamberlain recognizes that DRIPA needs changes, but those changes should be publicly stated as “substantial milestones.”

“We are requiring a change that will be a high tide, that will lift all boats, not just ones that happen to be a cherished project, whether it is LNG or mining, but something that leads to prosperity for First Nations,” he said.

He wants to remind political stakeholders that DRIPA needs to be part of the political reality in B.C.

“It’s prosperity and certainty for everyone. And that is, I believe, what was a goal of DRIPA to create that certainty.”

To Eby’s flip-flop course, Chamberlain says the premier has an uphill path in front of him to rebuild trust with First Nations leaders.

– With files from Dean Recksiedler.