
Aboriginal Law Report
By Bruce McIvor
Here's our update for the week ending April 10, 2016.
In the News
The Alberta provincial government renewed its support for proposed pipelines.
Fulfilment of treaty land entitlement obligations to First Nations has become an issue in the Manitoba election.
- Committee wants party leaders to commit to completing treaty land entitlement claims within 10 years
- Manitoba First Nations say fulfil promise and turn over more treaty land
Saskatchewan First Nations are optimistic about a possible negotiated settlement for their treaty annuity payment specific claim.
- Saskatchewan First Nation to meet with federal officials over treaty claim
- Money coming for First Nation punished in 1885 Rebellion
- Doug Cuthand: Compensation near for reneged treaty obligations
In response to intense opposition from First Nations and non-Indigenous people, the British Columbia provincial government has committed to a review of sewer sludge regulations.
Although the mining sector is in a downturn, the discussion about if, when and how to develop the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario continues.
Questions continued to be asked about British Columbia's planned Site C dam on the Peace River.
- As B.C. pushes to build Site C, Oregon and California agree to tear down four dams
- Site C protest camp at downtown Hydro HQ doubles in size
- First Nations challenge Site C water licences
- Treaty 8 chiefs condemn Site C dam project
- Site C breaches environmental conditions, failed to control sediment in river
A landless British Columbia First Nation working to acquire its own reserve is facing opposition from local non-Indigenous people.
A new British Columbia treaty came into effect.
While Indigenous people continue to have differing views on proposed LNG developments in British Columbia, the provincial NDP came out against a project on the north coast.
- Competing factions claim to represent bands in multibillion-dollar B.C. gas export plant debate
- B.C. NDP rejects proposed LNG plant near Prince Rupert
In Australia, a debate emerged about 'settlers' vs 'invaders'.
The issue of constitutionally protected Indigenous language rights is gathering growing support.
Lawyers, including yours truly, continue to debate the past, present and future of the duty to consult and accommodate.
From the Courts
The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled on the question of retaining the records of residential school survivors.
The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench struck out a claim brought by members of the Mikisew Cree First Nation challenging an agreement settling a treaty entitlement lawsuit.
BC Hydro's position on UNDRIP (part of one of the ongoing lawsuits over Site C) was criticized by First Nations.
- Indigenous leaders slam B.C. Hydro for "appalling" rejection of UN declaration
The Supreme Court announced it will deliver its decision in the Daniels appeal on Thursday, April 14th.
Quote of the Week
“Site C is a stupid idea.”
Chief Roland Wilson
Off the Bookshelf
"The general policy of the twentieth century was to try to make the most of resources, make Nature perform to the utmost, and hope for the best."
J.R. McNeill, Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World (2000)
Upcoming
Catch our cross-country series of workshops on emerging issues in Aboriginal Law by emailing
- Vancouver, April 15th: full--register now for the next one
- Toronto, April 20th
- Thunder Bay, April 28th
- Ottawa, May 4th
- Montreal (date not yet confirmed)
- Winnipeg (date not yet confirmed)
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