In 2026, West Coast Environmental Law is proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water) Program. Over the past decade, the RELAW Program has grown into a relationship network that strives for the revitalization of Indigenous laws.
Environmental Law Alert Blog
Through our Environmental Law Alert blog, West Coast keeps you up to date on the latest developments and issues in environmental law. This includes:
- proposed changes to the law that will weaken, or strengthen, environmental protection;
- stories and situations where existing environmental laws are failing to protect the environment; and
- emerging legal strategies that could be used to protect our environment.
If you have an environmental story that we should hear about, please e-mail Andrew Gage. We welcome your comments on any of the posts to this blog – but please keep in mind our policies on comments.
Celebrating 10 Years of RELAW: A Decade of Learning, Relationships and Indigenous Law Revitalization
UBC Law Professor Sara Ghebremusse explains how BC's Declaration Act offers a pathway to ensure mining is done responsibly, reducing the risk of legal, logistical and other challenges. Part 5 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders.
A north coast crude oil pipeline and tankers project would pose an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic spill that would irreparably harm the rich ecology of the area and the coastal economies that depend on it. Take action by contacting your local MP and the Minister of Transport to demand that they stand up for the tanker ban.
Professional forester Garry Merkel (nadi’ denezā) explains how including First Nations in all stages of forest management can give the sector more long-term stability. Part 4 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders.
Lawyer John Gailus shares his insights on recent BC court decisions related to Indigenous rights, and what they mean for the economy. Part 3 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders.
Gitxaała Nation Chief Councillor Linda Innes discusses how implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) can strengthen the economy. Part 2 in a series featuring interviews with experts and leaders.
Tahltan Elder & Mineral Explorationist Ma-Lah Allen Edzerza explains how building trusting, respectful relationships with First Nations creates the certainty companies need to finance projects and move them forward. Part 1 in a series featuring interviews with leaders and experts on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its relationship to the economy in BC and Canada.
We recently hosted our first RELAW Co-learning Program retreat of the year with our largest and most diverse cohort yet. Read the recap!
The RELAW team recently attended a three-day first of its kind Indigenous-led conference on the territory of the Ramaytush Ohlone, in San Francisco, CA Economic Futures: Investing in Indigenous-led Sustainability Solutions. They share their highlights and reflections from the event.
On October 1st, 2025, the Alberta government announced its intention to develop a proposal for a new crude oil pipeline to transport raw bitumen to the north Pacific coast. Unfortunately this idea fails to acknowledge some important realities.
This blog provides a reality-check on five key issues that must be central to the conversation about the idea of a proposed pipeline to the BC coast.