Photo: Contributed

A B.C. First Nation has launched a legal battle that could affect the province's planned Site C hydroelectric dam, as well as oil and gas development both inside and outside the band's territory.

The Blueberry River First Nations has filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court that alleges years of development, including mining, forestry and oil and gas projects, have violated its treaty rights.

The suit, which asks the court to prevent the province from continuing to violate the band's rights, follows several recent legal cases that have expanded the influence First Nations have over development.

The lawsuit says the cumulative effects of such development have violated its right under Treaty 8, which guaranteed the band's ability to continue practising its way of life.

The area the band claims as its traditional territory is located in northeastern B.C. and includes the city of Fort St. John and the location of the proposed Site C dam.

It's also the area that has seen rapid development in the natural gas sector.