Year: 2021

Now Available: Consolidated Native Law Statutes, Regulations and Treaties 2022

Now Available: Consolidated Native Law Statutes, Regulations and Treaties 2022 Consolidated Native Law Statutes, Regulations and Treaties 2020 features new legislative enactments and updates to reflect all amendments to the provisions of the relevant legislation and treaties in Aboriginal Law. Under the editorial direction of Jack Woodward, this work brings together a timely consolidation of the […]

It Can’t End Like This – A Dispatch from COP26, Glasgow

It Can’t End Like This – A Dispatch from COP26, Glasgow Jack Woodward, QC We are a motley crew from British Columbia: young activists, the chief of a first nation, an old lawyer, a young lawyer, some partners, supporters and hangers-on.  All at our own expense we made our way to Glasgow to save the […]

Why the climate needs Indigenous knowledge

Why the climate needs Indigenous knowledge Addressing the greatest challenge of our times has to be done through the lens of reconciliation. By Owen Stewart    In the recent federal election, the main political parties agreed on two goals: the need for reconciliation and the need to address the increasingly obvious climate crisis. At this […]

Courage – A Dispatch from COP26, Glasgow

Courage – A Dispatch from COP26, Glasgow Jack Woodward, QC I went to the “water ceremony” as a hardened sceptic, but I left in tears.  About 100 people gathered in the bitter Scottish cold, including Chief Jordan Michael from tiny Nuchatlaht, in Nootka Sound.  Jordan is a logger; a tall, fit, practical, Vancouver Islander who […]

The Indian Act | Surrender Provisions

The Indian Act | Surrender Provisions This video discusses the historic origins and the fundamental implications of two key elements of the Indian Act that relate to Indigenous lands. Known as the “Surrender Provisions” they protect Indigenous lands from alienation by requiring a formal process with both a Crown representative and the Indigenous community present. […]

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Notable Cases in Aboriginal Law | Tsilhqot’in v. British Columbia

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 […]

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The Indian Act | Wills & Estates

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 […]

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The Indian Act | Introduction

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.  

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What Is the Royal Proclamation of 1763?

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. […]

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What Is the Royal Proclamation of 1763?

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 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 […]

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The Case for Nuchatlaht | Introduction

The Case for Nuchatlaht | Introduction Located in a once pristine area on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the Nuchatlaht tribe have continuously and exclusively occupied their territory and maintained their traditional hereditary government. Successive generations of Nuchatlaht Ha’wiih (Chiefs) have refused to surrender their title and the Nuchatlaht muschim (People) have defended their […]

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Jack Woodward Speaks About Aboriginal Title with Vaughn Palmer from the Vancouver Sun

Vaughn Palmer: ‘Large chunks’ of B.C. Crown land could end up in hands of Indigenous Nations Opinion: Aboriginal title over large tracts of 95 per cent of B.C. that’s now referred to as Crown land would entail “huge transfer of wealth.” The B.C. government should prepare the public for the coming “big shock” when “fairly […]

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Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 3: On Reserve Band Management and Administration

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.  

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Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 2: Protection of Constitutional Rights

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. […]

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Legal Powers of First Nations | Part 1: Economic Development

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, […]

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Legal Powers of First Nations | Overview

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 […]

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Nuchatlaht Land Back | Part 2: UNDRIP

Nuchatlaht Land Back | Part 2: UNDRIP In the first-ever title case argued in B.C. since the province introduced UNDRIP legislation, Crown lawyers assert the nation lost territorial rights by not consistently occupying their lands. Jack Woodward, Q.C explains the importance of UNDRIP and how it applies to the ongoing title case of Nuchatlaht.  

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Nuchatlaht Land Back | Part 1: Abandonment

Nuchatlaht Land Back | Part 1: Abandonment In the first-ever title case argued in B.C. since the province introduced UNDRIP legislation, Crown lawyers assert the nation lost territorial rights by not consistently occupying their lands. Jack Woodward, Q.C explains how this defence of abandonment is a procedural barrier and the Province has purposefully taken up […]

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Bill 22 | The Red Tape Reduction Act

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 […]

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