The article explains why Richmond, B.C., homeowners were not notified years earlier about the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation’s Aboriginal title claim over land that now includes about 125 privately owned properties. In a 2017 hearing, federal and provincial lawyers pushed for official notice to landowners, arguing fairness and potential impacts on property rights, but the Quw’utsun opposed it, saying the dispute was with the Crown for historically selling their village lands—not with current homeowners. They argued that notifying residents would inflame tensions and bog down the case with hundreds of new parties. The judge agreed and declined to order notice, noting owners could raise concerns later if needed. Eight years later, a landmark ruling recognized Aboriginal title overlapping private land, triggering political debate, homeowner anxiety, appeals, and a proposed class-action lawsuit—bringing long-delayed public awareness of the issue.