If you’re buying or selling real estate in British Columbia, you’ll often hear the term “land claims.” BC is unique because most of the province is unceded Indigenous territory, meaning many First Nations never signed historic treaties. Here's what that means for property owners.

What Are Land Claims?

Land claims are legal processes where First Nations assert rights to land and resources that were traditionally theirs. These claims aim to:

• Recognize Indigenous land ownership

• Define rights to use land or resources

• Address past losses or negotiate modern treaties

Types of Land Claims in BC

Comprehensive Claims (Modern Treaties)

These occur in areas without historic treaties—most of BC. They define land ownership, governance, and resource rights and lead to long-term certainty.

Specific Claims

These address past wrongs, such as improperly taken land or broken treaty promises. They usually result in financial compensation, not changes to private property ownership.

Do Land Claims Affect Homeowners?

Generally, no.
Land claim settlements do not impact existing private property. Most negotiations involve Crown land or compensation rather than changes to private land titles.

Why Land Claims Matter in Real Estate

Even though private land is usually unaffected, land claims influence:

• Development approvals

• Long-term planning and zoning

• Partnerships with local First Nations

• Investor confidence and certainty

Understanding the local First Nation and treaty status is becoming an essential part of due diligence, especially for developers and commercial buyers.

The Bottom Line

Land claims are part of ongoing reconciliation and planning in BC. For most homeowners, they don’t affect property ownership, but they play an important role in shaping development and land use across the province.