Aboriginal Law Report

In the News

The new federal budget drew mixed reviews from Indigenous Peoples.

• Liberals Blasted For Underfunding Of First Nations Child Welfare
• Northeastern Ontario leaders react to 2016 Liberal federal budget
• Trudeau’s empty budget promises on the nation-to-nation relationship
• Budget vows to do better than Kelowna Accord for First Nations
• Major indigenous funding restores last Liberal government’s promises
• Budget 'historic' for First Nations, says national chief, but others say it falls short
• Liberals criticized for underfunding of First Nations child welfare
• Doug Cuthand: Budget turning point for First Nations

The new federal government was urged to reverse legislative changes made by the former Harper government through its omnibus bills.

• First Nations, Scientists and Conservationists Call for Swift Action by Fisheries Minister to Scale up Fish Protection
• Liberals urged to repeal former Tory government’s changes to Fisheries Act

The issue of Indigenous representation was raised in the Manitoba provincial election.

• Manitoba Liberals promise indigenous people 10% of MLAs under new voting system

A northern Saskatchewan First Nation voiced renewed concerns about a lack of consultation.

• Buffalo River Dene Nation angry about oil drilling program

Questions were raised about the new federal justice minister's previous role in opposing the Site C dam on the Peace River.

• Site C criticism by federal justice minister surfaces in 2012 video

Following several legal challenges, there was optimism that a British Columbia First Nation had finally gained greater control of fisheries management.

• Heiltsuk herring fishery resumes with hope for peace

First Nations in northwestern Ontario moved closer to managing local forestry.

• Whiskey Jack Forest

The issue of resource revenue sharing with First Nations was raised during the Saskatchewan provincial election.

• Vote Compass: some favour sharing the wealth with First Nations

The Crown's position on the Secwepemc Aboriginal title claim was criticized.

• Government hypocritical on Ajax land claims

British Columbia's lobbying for a LNG terminal on the north coast drew criticism from First Nations.

• Province working with feds on Pacific NorthWest LNG delay: Coleman
• First Nation Leadership: Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman's Facebook Comment Was "Misleading"

Wolverine died.

• Leader from Gustafsen Lake standoff dead at 82

From the Courts

A Saskatchewan First Nation lost its court challenge of a government decision to not transfer specific treaty entitlement lands.

• Bear v. Saskatchewan, 2016 SKQB 73

Quote of the Week

"When we use these conversations about giving credit for first steps, it sometimes distracts away from what is actually happening to the kids."

Dr. Cindy Blackstock on the federal budget

Off the Bookshelf

"We must hope that during the twenty-first century humanity will work out a new balance between adequate energy use to sustain a decent quality of life and the imperative of not affecting the biosphere in ways inimical to human survival."

Vaclav Smil, Energy in Nature and Society: General Energetics of Complex Systems (2008)

Upcoming

I'll be giving a public lecture at the First Nations University in Regina on April 6th--if you'd like to attend.

Join me in Toronto on April 20th for the first in a series of workshops on emerging issues in Aboriginal law--click here for details.

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