Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia

As part of "(Un)learning Religion", students explored the case of Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia. The case concerned the Ktunaxa Nation’s claim that building a ski resort on their sacred site, “Qat’muk,” would drive away the Grizzly Bear Spirit and violate their religious freedom. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled against them, holding that the Charter protects individuals from state interference in their ability to hold and manifest beliefs, but does not require the state to protect the spirituality of a sacred site. The decision significantly limited Indigenous religious freedom claims tied to land-based spirituality.

Podcast created for the course “The Politics of Religious Freedom and Secularism in the Americas” at Sciences Po Paris, Spring 2025.

Creators: Lily, Mayerlyn, Samantha, Judy.