After a string of judicial decisions applied the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act (“DRIPA”) to protect Aboriginal rights and Title, B.C. Premier David Eby proposed amending the Act, leading to a whirlwind of conflicting announcements that culminated in the recent decision to leave DRIPA intact – for now. Along the way, Adam Olsen, a former MLA and current Lead Negotiator for Tsartlip First Nation, offered insightful commentary that rejects the Premier’s fear-based framing and keeps the interests of W̱SÁNEĆ front and center.
Background
B.C. unanimously passed DRIPA in 2019, thereby establishing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) as the reconciliation framework for the province.
In 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada and Court of Appeal for British Columbia relied on DRIPA to make a series of decisions that protect Indigenous rights and Title.
First, in August 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a landmark decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, holding that Cowichan Tribes have Aboriginal Title over some traditional lands, including lands “owned” by private third parties. The decision sparked widespread debate regarding competing title interests between First Nations, colonial governments, and private property owners.
Just a few months later, in Gitxaala v. British Columbia, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia found DRIPA incorporated UNDRIP into B.C.’s law with “immediate legal effect,” and that B.C.’s mineral claim system is inconsistent with DRIPA.
Rather than addressing the issues found by the Court, Eby reacted to Gitxaala by promising to amend or suspend DRIPA, thereby weakening its protection of Indigenous rights and Title.
After encountering opposition from Indigenous leaders and allies, Eby walked back his plan to amend DRIPA in late April 2026. Instead, Eby committed to working with First Nations to create a plan in the coming months.
Adam Olsen Responds to Eby’s Proposed Amendments
Through podcast appearances and written works, Olsen offers clear, grounded commentary on Gitxaala, DRIPA, Eby’s proposed amendments, and the unresolved history that led to this moment. A comprehensive list of Olsen’s works on the topic follows, beginning with his most recent commentary.
- April 25, 2026: Olsen speaks on an episode of This is Vancouver Island
Summary: Olsen speaks to Eby’s announcement on April 19th that he would not yet move forward with legislation to suspend or amend DRIPA, and to Eby’s commitment to work with the First Nations Leadership Council to create a plan that addresses B.C.’s concerns while remaining respectful of Aboriginal rights and Title.
Olsen pushes back against the narrative that “Indigenous people and Indigenous rights create uncertainty and are an inherent threat to British Columbia,” saying, “it’s important that we realize that Indigenous people and their rights are not the threat; the threat is how government responds to it.”
→ Listen to the episode, There is More than Just DRIPA in this Episode!
- April 21, 2026: Olsen writes about his experience engaging with and actively commenting on the proposed DRIPA amendments.
Summary: Olsen speaks to the damage caused over the last four months – during which Eby “took the family car for a joyride, smashed into a few familiar tropes about Indigenous people and caused real damage to fragile relationships” – and addresses the need to move quickly towards a better solution.
→ Read the article, Back on Track? Now the Work Begins.
- April 19, 2026: Olsen responds to Eby’s threat to suspend critical portions of DRIPA.
Summary: Ahead of Eby’s then-promised introduction of legislation to suspend DRIPA, Olsen responded to Eby’s plan and discussed the open letter issued by the First Nations Leadership Council.
→ Read the article, Un-DRIPA.
- April 17, 2026: Olsen writes about how Joseph Trutch is linked to B.C.’s recurring Indigenous land questions.
Summary: Olsen provides an overview of how Joseph Trutch “built the machinery of law and administration that entrenched Indigenous land dispossession” from 1864 to 1876. Then, Olsen addresses how, time and time again from 1876 until today, colonial governments have refused to right this wrong.
→ Read the article, How Joseph Trutch Set the Stage for BC’s Indigenous Policies.
- April 12, 2026: Olsen speaks on an episode of This is Vancouver Island
Summary: Olsen offers an alternative framing of the Gitxaala decision and challenges Eby’s narrative regarding Gitxaala and DRIPA.
→ Listen to the episode, C.’s Premier has a new plan for DRIPA.
- April 10, 2026: Olsen speaks on an episode of The Jill Bennett Show
Summary: Olsen discusses Eby’s handling of Crown-Indigenous relations, provides an overview of the Gitxaala decision and what it means for B.C., and speaks to the issue of economic uncertainty,
→ Listen to the episode, Jill Bennett Show: BC Government Facing Growing Backlash Over DRIPA.
- April 6, 2026: Olsen writes about the implications of Eby’s quick turn to amending DRIPA.
Summary: Olsen argues that, by quickly introducing the option of amending DRIPA in response to the Gitxaala ruling, Eby blundered an opportunity to meaningfully engage with First Nations leaders and created an ineffective framing for the DRIPA debate.
→ Read the article, Eby Sent the Wrong Signals on DRIPA Amendments.
- April 1, 2026: Olsen writes about Eby’s mixed messaging regarding DRIPA Amendments.
Summary: Olsen addresses Eby’s inconsistent approach to his then-promised DRIPA amendments, in which his messaging to First Nations leaders directly contradicted that shared with the greater public.
→ Read the article, Two Messages, One Premier.
- March 28, 2026: Olsen speaks on an episode of This is Vancouver Island.
Summary: Olsen discusses how Eby’s early decision to focus on amending DRIPA in the immediate aftermath of the Gitxaala decision shifted public debate.
→ Listen to the episode, CBC Political Panel: The Politics Around DRIPA Amendment Talks
To stay up to date on the latest updates regarding Olsen’s work on DRIPA – and other important issues impacting W̱SÁNEĆ – be sure to subscribe to W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s newsletter.