UPDATED: Sinixt have right to hunt in BC, judge rules

A judge has ruled that members of the Sinixt First Nation have a right to hunt on their traditional territory in BC.

Applause broke out after Judge Lisa Mrozinski delivered her ruling this morning in a packed Nelson courtroom.

Washington state resident and Sinixt descendant Rick Desautel was charged in 2010 with hunting with a license.

But he was acquitted because the judge said he has proven the Sinixt have an aboriginal right to hunt in BC, and provisions in the Wildlife Act unreasonably infringe upon that right.

Desautel says he’s delighted with the decision.

The Sinixt were declared extinct in Canada in 1956, but Mrozinski said their movement to the Colville reservation south of the border was not voluntary.

The verdict came following a trial last fall that lasted several weeks.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

B.C. adds 5k jobs in June, led by gains in part-time work

British Columbia added 5,000 jobs in June but saw a dip in full-time employment, according to the latest jobs report from Statistics Canada. 

B.C. adds 5k jobs in June, led by gains in part-time work

British Columbia added 5,000 jobs in June but saw a dip in full-time employment, according to the latest jobs report from Statistics Canada. 

B.C. maintains decision to end drug coverage for girl with rare, fatal disease

B.C. is standing by the decision not to continue drug coverage for a Vancouver Island girl with a rare, fatal disease. 

Measles cases reported in B.C. this year top 100

B.C.’s health officials have said 102 cases of measles have been reported across B.C. so far this year, with most of those in the Northern Health region.

Puck drop date set for KIJHL season

The puck will drop on the 2025-26 KIJHL regular season on Friday, September 19, when the league’s 21 teams each embark on a 44-game schedule.
- Advertisement -