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.
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.
The enactment of a biodversity and ecosystem health law is the pathway for effectively implementing the Provincial Forest Advisory Council's proposed regional area-based forestry management model.
From February 24-26, 2026, West Coast Lawyer Anna Johnston was at the Alberta Court of Appeal on behalf of Nature Canada and West Coast Environmental Law defending the constitutionality of the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA).
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.
In December 2025 the BC Court of Appeal released its judgment in Gitxaała v. British Columbia (Chief Gold Commissioner) – affirming that BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is legally enforceable. This Q&A post delves into questions about the case, the decision and what comes next.
We recently hosted our first RELAW Co-learning Program retreat of the year with our largest and most diverse cohort yet. Read the recap!