How badly does the NDP government not want to talk about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples anymore?

Very badly, judging by debate on one of two First Nations treaties that were hustled into the legislature as the DRIPA crisis was reaching full boil last month.

The government made a vain attempt to steer away from DRIPA during debate on the K’ómoks treaty covering parts of northern Vancouver Island, even though DRIPA is specifically cited as an integral part of the treaty.

The Conservative Party of B.C. Opposition is intent on exploring every aspect of the contentious law that recognizes Indigenous rights to full partnership in most provincial decision-making.

It’s an obvious way to score political points. It is also warranted by the implications of the court decision last year that created the controversy.

So Conservative MLA Ward Stamer was deep into an exploration of all the intricacies of DRIPA when Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert objected.

“We’re not currently in discussion around DRIPA, which he spent a bunch of time discussing. That’s not currently in........

© Times Colonist