Year: 2021

The Indian Act | Surrender Provisions      

Notable Cases in Aboriginal Law | Tsilhqot’in v. British Columbia   Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of Canada and the first case to successfully establish a declaration of Aboriginal title over land that a nation had historically occupied. After 5 years at trial, both the federal and […]

The Indian Act | Wills & Estates This video discusses how the Indian Act governs the wills and estates of Indigenous people who live on a reserve. Jack Woodward, Q.C dives into the inner workings of the Indian Act only to uncover a confusing process that leaves Indigenous peoples unable to receive satisfactory legal opinions […]

The Indian Act | Introduction This video gives a quick introduction to Canada’s oldest statute, The Indian Act. The Indian Act is a Canadian federal law that governs matters such as Indian status, bands, and Indian reserves.  

What Is the Royal Proclamation of 1763? The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III and established the basis for governing the North American territories surrendered by France to Britain following the Seven Years’ War. In this video Jack Woodward, Q.C discusses how the Royal Proclamation of 1763 impacts Aboriginal Law today. […]

The Case For Nuchatlaht | Trial Date & Overview The B.C. Supreme Court has set a trial date for Nuchatlaht First Nation’s historic land title case. Nuchatlaht received its trial date last month after filing a case in 2017 to officially recognize its right and title to territory on Nootka Island, off the west coast […]

Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 3: On Reserve Band Management and Administration   The Chiefs, Councillors and Administrators of First Nations governments in Canada have daunting responsibilities under a range of statutes. These powers and administrative responsibilities go far beyond the legislative mandate of any local government.  

Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 2: Protection of Constitutional Rights   The power of First Nations communities to protect the environment are some of the strongest environmental protections in Canada. Jack Woodward QC presents an introduction to the relationship between the powers of First Nations governments, Aboriginal Rights, Aboriginal Title and environmental protection. […]

Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 1: Economic Development   The smallest governments in Canada possess the most powerful jurisdictions for environmental protection. Aboriginal rights, treaty rights and Aboriginal title combine to give chiefs and councils of First Nations awesome power and responsibility for protection of the habitat necessary for healthy populations of fish, […]

Legal Powers of First Nations | Overview This video contains a brief overview of the three basic jurisdictions exercised by the Chiefs and Councils of First Nations in Canada. Powers under statute, such as the Indian Act, powers of economic development, and constitutional powers, combine to make First Nations some of the most powerful governments […]

Bill 22 | The Red Tape Reduction Act   Alberta’s Bill 22, now known as the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020, S.C. c. 25, greatly increases the powers and responsibilities of the Alberta Energy Regulator, making it more like a Court. First Nations will be particularly concerned about this because the AER is now […]

The New Indigenous Law Youtube Channel   Welcome to the Indigenous Law Youtube Channel with Jack Woodward, Q.C. On this channel, you will find a variety of videos that will cover everything related to Indigenous law. You can watch a quick introduction below where Jack Woodward discusses what this channel is all about.