Indigenous Insights

Image for Federal government releases Draft Action Plan to implement UNDRIP for public comment

Federal government releases Draft Action Plan to implement UNDRIP for public comment

Insight

Published: March 23, 2023

Authors: Jessica Buhler, Meaghan Conroy

Categories: Indigenous

On March 20, 2023, the Government of Canada released its Draft Action Plan to Implement the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“Draft Action Plan”) for public comment. … Read More

Image for Regina introduces “historic” Indigenous Procurement Policy

Regina introduces “historic” Indigenous Procurement Policy

Insight

Published: February 27, 2023

Authors: Josh Morrison, Milad Alishahi, Jeremy Barber, Jeremie Roussel, Andrew Konopelny, Jodi Hancheroff

Categories: Indigenous, Municipal

Regina has implemented an Indigenous Procurement Policy (the Policy) that will aim to grant at least 20% of the total value of city contracts to Indigenous-led businesses. Under the Policy, at… Read More

Image for Two more First Nations sign historic coordination agreements under Bill C-92 framework

Two more First Nations sign historic coordination agreements under Bill C-92 framework

Insight

Published: February 15, 2023

Authors: Anna Beatch, Sydney Thomson, Drew Lafond, Josh Morrison

Categories: Indigenous

Two more First Nations have signed coordination agreements under the Bill C-92 framework, helping ensure their right of self-government over child and family services (“CFS”) will be coordinated between the… Read More

Image for Supreme Court grants leave to appeal in Treaty Land entitlement case

Supreme Court grants leave to appeal in Treaty Land entitlement case

Insight

Published: February 7, 2023

Authors: Jessica Buhler, Rangi Jeerakathil, Erica Klassen

Categories: Indigenous

On February 2, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to appeal the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision in Canada v Jim Shot Both Sides, 2022 FCA 20. Kainai Nation… Read More

Image for Blueberry River First Nations Implementation Agreement: A pathway for negotiating cumulative effects claims

Blueberry River First Nations Implementation Agreement: A pathway for negotiating cumulative effects claims

Insight

Published: January 24, 2023

Authors: Jessica Buhler, Rangi Jeerakathil, Erica Klassen

Categories: Indigenous

On January 18, 2023, Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) and the Province of British Columbia announced they reached an Implementation Agreement (Agreement). The two parties entered into the Agreement in… Read More

Image for First Nation Hunters Lose Appeal to Overturn Wildlife Act Conviction

First Nation Hunters Lose Appeal to Overturn Wildlife Act Conviction

Insight

Published: December 9, 2022

Authors: Jodi Hancheroff, Josh Morrison, Sonia Eggerman

Categories: Indigenous

Three Treaty Indians who were convicted of contravening the Wildlife Act for recovering a moose from land they did not have a legal right to access have had their appeal… Read More

Image for Case Before SK Appeal Court May Impact Harvesting Rights of Every ‘Indian’ in Canada

Case Before SK Appeal Court May Impact Harvesting Rights of Every ‘Indian’ in Canada

Insight

Published: August 29, 2022

Authors: Sonia Eggerman, Josh Morrison, Dexter Bricker

Categories: Indigenous

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has re-opened the possibility that Indians from outside of Saskatchewan can exercise harvesting rights under the terms of treaty and the provisions of the National… Read More

Image for Protecting Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Through Trademarks

Protecting Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Through Trademarks

Insight

Published: June 17, 2022

Author: Lorraine Pinsent

Categories: General, Indigenous, Trademarks

Authors: Adam Lakusta, Lorraine Pinsent Despite Canada’s intellectual property (IP) laws failing to provide protections specifically for Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge, there are a number of ways traditional knowledge can be protected –… Read More

Image for SK Court of Appeal Hears Métis Right to Harvest Case

SK Court of Appeal Hears Métis Right to Harvest Case

Insight

Published: June 13, 2022

Authors: Josh Morrison, Sonia Eggerman, Jodi Hancheroff

Categories: Indigenous

For the first time, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal considered the extent to which the Métis can claim a right to hunt and fish for food under Section 35(1) of… Read More

Image for Top Court Provides Guidance on Advance Costs Awards for Indigenous Rights Litigation

Top Court Provides Guidance on Advance Costs Awards for Indigenous Rights Litigation

Insight

Published: March 28, 2022

Authors: Drew Lafond, Meaghan Conroy, Jianna Rieder

Categories: Indigenous

First Nations – not the Courts or the Crown – are best positioned to determine the pressing needs of their communities, according to a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision… Read More