Aboriginal Law Report

July 1st was a day of celebration, condemnation and contemplation.

• Doug Cuthand: First Nations played a pivotal role in the creation of Canada
• Untethering colonial rule for Canada's 150th birthday
• BC Indian Chiefs reject Canada 150 celebrations
• Members of Okanagan-Syilx Nation are unsettling Canada 150. It's time for Canadians to listen
• Canada’s indigenous people are still overlooked
• Terry Glavin: If we’re serious about reconciliation, it’s time for some new ideas
• Canada celebrates 150 but indigenous groups say history is being 'skated over'
• 4 Indigenous people share why they won't be singing O Canada on July 1
• Canada 150: Not the first celebration to spark controversy
• Chief Dan George's powerful Indigenous rights speech, 50 years later
• Can you celebrate Canada 150 and still respect Indigenous rights?
• Canada 150: sesquicentennial or sesqui-colonial?
• ‘If We Are All Here to Stay...’
• Tide is turning on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people - The Globe and Mail
• Indigenous groups launch protests to resist Canada Day

A teepee drew a lot of attention.

• Teepee erected in ceremony on Parliament Hill after opposition from police
• Parliament Hill teepee moves to more prominent Hill location

The Cree of northern Quebec reached a milestone in their efforts to achieve self-government.

• Cree Nation closer to self-governance, greater control over lands with new agreement

Despite a benefits agreement, an open-pit mine in New Brunswick does not have the full support of the Wolastoqiyik. 

• Sisson mine approval triggers $3M bonus for 6 Maliseet First Nations
• Maliseet chiefs stress opposition to Sisson mine, despite deal with government

The Ontario government finally committed to cleaning up decades old mercury contamination.

• Ontario is finally cleaning up a river that has poisoned First Nations for decades
• Ontario announces $85M for mercury cleanup near northern Ontario First Nations
• Commitment to clean up mercury near Grassy Narrows is welcome and overdue: Editorial
• David Suzuki ‘delighted’ that $85M slated for mercury cleanup

The federal government released a discussion paper aimed at overhauling its environmental assessment and regulatory processes.

• Liberals vow greater Indigenous input, tougher environmental hurdles for resource projects
• Discussion Paper
• West Coast Environmental Law's Report Card

A new study highlighted the effect on Indigenous people of oil and gas development in northern British Columbia.

• First Nations rights violated, says study
• Opinion: Energy industry’s thirst for water threatens First Nations’ rights
• Comment: Rethink approval process for oil, gas developments

Here's an example of a municipality working to implement recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• Wood Buffalo's Indigenous people tell municipality how to heal a broken relationship

The federal government is scrambling for excuses for not providing further funding for child welfare and social services.

• Indigenous leaders call out Trudeau over funds for social services

A modern-day leader expressed his views on the meaning and significance of Treaty 7.

• 'We never really did give up the land': Tsuut'ina chief wants public to see Treaty 7 document

Many First Nations are developing land codes--not all of them garner enough support to pass.

• Plan for Cowichan Tribes to take over land management fails to garner support

The Kaska Dena Council clarified the purpose of its recent settlement proposal.

• $1.5B proposal not a land claim, says Kaska Dena Council chair

With the British Columbia Liberal's desperate attempt to trigger a new provincial election having failed, all eyes will be on the new NDP government. 

• BC confidence vote could prevent destruction of sacred Indigenous sites
• Indigenous consent is a right. Will the GreeNDP honour it?

Finally, the application of the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act remains an open question.

• 'Our people don't take this lightly': Ted Tsetta case prompts debate over N.W.T.'s Wildlife Act

From the Courts

Prophet River First Nation's leave application to the Supreme Court was dismissed.

• First Nations in B.C. lose latest bid to stop Site C project
• Vaughn Palmer: Site C passes all legal loopholes, but project still threatened
• Supreme Court dismisses two Site C lawsuits from B.C. First Nations
• B.C. First Nations lose bid to appeal Site C dam at Supreme Court of Canada
• Supreme Court of Canada won't hear First Nations' appeals on Site C

Quote of the Week

"Decolonization will involve a fierce struggle by indigenous peoples to reinvigorate our own laws and systems of governance, and ignite within our own peoples hope and vision for our tomorrows with the recognition and knowledge of our true place among the nations of the world.”

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

Off the Bookshelf

“And I wondered, not for the first time, what patriotism is, what the love of country truly consists of, how that yearning loyalty that had shaken my friend's voice arises, and how a real love can become, too often, so foolish and vile a bigotry. Where does it go wrong?”

Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is principal of First Peoples Law Corporation.  Download Bruce's bio.

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