Tsawwassen First Nation, Musqueam Indian Band appeal Cowichan title decision

Tsawwassen First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band are both appealing a court decision granting a group of Vancouver Island First Nations fishing and land rights in the Fraser delta.

On Aug. 7, after a 513-day trial (the longest in Canadian history) and more than 20 months since closing arguments, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Barbara Young issued an 863-page judgment recognizing Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt First Nation and Lyackson First Nation's Aboriginal title over the Tl’uqtinus village lands — located on the south shore of Lulu Island (now in the city of Richmond) opposite Tilbury Island in Delta.

The roughly 745 acres includes land currently owned by the Crown, City of Richmond, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and private third parties; the latter