Barbara Young
Justice Barbara Young is a long-serving judge on the British Columbia Supreme Court, known for her significant rulings impacting Indigenous rights and land claims. Her recent decision in the Cowichan Tribes case, which established Aboriginal title over a substantial portion of land in Richmond, marks a historic milestone in the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government.
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Recent news mentions
Justice Barbara Young issued the declaration in her landmark Cowichan title judgment last August.
Boundaries of the land included in Cowichan title ruling are ambiguous, lawyers warn
Canada· 2026-05-28
Justice Barbara Young is hearing submissions this week on an application from a large industrial landowner in Richmond, B.C.
Lawyers for the Cowichan argue case should not be reopened to consider private property rightsCanada· 2026-05-27
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Barbara Young recognized 'Indian settlements lands' granted prior to Confederation.
Cowichan decision leads to another claim on private lands in B.C.Canada· 2026-02-07
Justice Barbara Young handed down the decision in the Cowichan Tribes case.
A land-claims nightmare is emerging in B.C.Canada· 2025-11-15
Justice Barbara Young decided that Cowichan First Nation had title to roughly 800 acres in the city of Richmond.
The Indigenous land claim that could override private property rightsCanada· 2025-11-12
Justice Barbara Young concluded that the Cowichan have Aboriginal title to roughly 800 acres in Richmond.
Industrial property owners ask B.C. Supreme Court to reopen Richmond Aboriginal title caseCanada· 2025-11-07
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Barbara Young said that a precedent that will follow from the case is that two provisions of B.C.’s Land Title Act do not apply to Aboriginal title.
B.C. Premier says Cowichan decision could have national implicationsCanada· 2025-11-05
Justice Barbara Young’s decision in the land claim ruling confirmed Cowichan Aboriginal title and fishing rights over a stretch of land.
Observers anticipate lengthy legal process after B.C. Aboriginal land title decisionCanada· 2025-10-27
Justice Barbara Young’s 863-page ruling, in the longest trial in Canada’s history, said that the Cowichan Tribes 'have established Aboriginal title' to roughly 800 acres in the city.
Eby pushes back on opposition calls to end talks with First Nations over Cowichan decisionCanada· 2025-10-21Justice Barbara Young’s 863-page ruling said that the Cowichan Tribes have established Aboriginal title.
Richmond warns property owners B.C. Supreme Court decision could ‘negatively affect title’Canada· 2025-10-20Justice Barbara Young upheld the Cowichan Tribes’ claim to a portion of land in Metro Vancouver.
Set the rules for Canada’s title boutCanada· 2025-09-23
Justice Barbara Young upheld the Cowichan Tribes of Vancouver Island claims to a portion of land in Metro Vancouver.
Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title secured through court orderCanada· 2025-09-12
Justice Barbara Young’s pivotal ruling in favour of the Cowichan Tribes’ land claim reveals a harrowing provincial past.
B.C. Insider: Land claim ruling reveals violent provincial pastCanada· 2025-08-19
Justice Barbara Young‘s 863-page ruling late last week rendered the fee-simple ownership and interests in the lands, held by Canada, the City of Richmond and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, 'defective and invalid.'
B.C. to appeal court ruling that recognized Aboriginal title to land south of VancouverCanada· 2025-08-12
Justice Barbara Young of the B.C. Supreme Court declared the Cowichan Tribes 'have established Aboriginal title' to roughly 800 acres.
Major land claims ruling says B.C. Indigenous group has claim to a portion of city and port landsCanada· 2025-08-09
