Is it time for progressive champions to walk the walk, or is this just another case of virtue signaling gone awry? Katrina Chen, a former British Columbia lawmaker known for her vocal support of Aboriginal land rights, finds herself in the crosshairs of public criticism, with calls to hand over her own properties to indigenous tribes.
The controversy stems from a landmark British Columbia Supreme Court ruling in August 2025, which awarded the Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title over 800 acres of valuable land in Richmond, a Vancouver suburb, while also recognizing their fishing rights and declaring private ownership by the government as invalid.
The Daily Mail reported that historically, the Cowichan Tribes were displaced from this region during British colonization in the mid-1800s. Over the decades, as British Columbia became a Canadian province, much of their traditional territory was sold off.
The area in question, known as the Lands of Tl'uqtinus, was a vital village site along the Fraser River, once bustling with trade and fishing.
Fast forward to the recent ruling, and the Lands of Tl'uqtinus—now home to private residences, farms, a golf course, and industrial operations—are valued at over $1.3 billion by property analysts. The court deemed that granting private ownership rights would unjustly infringe on the tribe’s Aboriginal title.
While the declaration of invalid ownership is suspended for 18 months to allow negotiations, the Cowichan Tribes have made it clear they seek ownership of the land, not necessarily the invalidation of private titles.
Property disputes are to be settled through talks, litigation, or purchases, but otherwise, the land remains under their title.
Complicating matters, both the BC government and the city of Richmond have appealed the decision, while the Cowichan Tribes have countered with their own appeal, claiming rights to even more land in the region. It’s a legal quagmire with no easy answers.
Enter Katrina Chen, a former MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed from 2017 to 2024, who has long positioned herself as an ally of indigenous causes, describing herself as an immigrant living on unceded Coast Salish territories.
Her recent defense of the court ruling has resurfaced old disclosure statements showing she owns a residential property in Burnaby and co-owns a rental property in Vancouver with a family member.
Though her properties aren’t part of the 800 acres awarded to the Cowichan Tribes, critics point out they could potentially fall under future claims, especially given the tribe’s appeal for additional land. Social media has been abuzz with demands for Chen to practice what she preaches.
One user on X didn’t mince words, stating, “Put your money where your mouth is or keep it shut.” It’s a blunt jab, but it captures the frustration of those who see a disconnect between advocacy and personal sacrifice. If nearly all of British Columbia is considered unceded tribal land, shouldn’t supporters like Chen lead by example?
The debate doesn’t stop with Chen. Dallas Brodie, leader of the newly formed OneBC Party, recently proposed a bill to ban land acknowledgments, only to see it voted down on its first reading.
The aftermath saw a curious moment when the BC Conservative House Leader and a New Democratic Party member shared a celebratory embrace, drawing sharp criticism online.
The OneBC Party took to social media, accusing the pair of “hugging each other in joy over the idea that Canada is stolen land.” It’s a provocative statement, no doubt, but it reflects a growing pushback against what some see as performative gestures that solve nothing. Are land acknowledgments meaningful, or just empty words?
Chen herself fired back at the OneBC Party’s comment, calling it a “horrifying comment” that shows a lack of understanding of colonial history. Her passion is evident, but it only fuels the question: If the cause is so critical, why not start with her own backyard?
This saga raises tough questions about how to right historical wrongs without upending modern lives. The Cowichan Tribes deserve justice for their displacement, but with billions in property value at stake, the path forward is anything but clear. Conservatives might argue that personal accountability should start with those loudest in support of such policies.
