News & Events

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 […]

  • Interviews

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.  

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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. […]

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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, […]

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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 […]

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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.  

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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 […]

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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 […]

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

The New Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

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.    

  • Indigenous Law Youtube Channel

British Columbians in for a big adjustment with Aboriginal title settlement, lawyer says

British Columbians in for a big adjustment with Aboriginal title settlement, lawyer says British Columbians are in for a big shock when ownership of large parts of the province switches from the Crown to First Nations, says Aboriginal rights and title lawyer Jack Woodward. Woodward, who acts on behalf of First Nations in court, believes […]

  • Interviews
  • Public Speaking

B.C. Supreme Court sets trial date set for Nuchatlaht First Nation’s historic land title case

B.C. Supreme Court sets trial date set for Nuchatlaht First Nation’s historic land title case The First Nation received its trial date last month after filing a case in 2017 to officially recognize its right and title to territory on the north of Nootka Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Jack Woodward, the […]

Two New Legal Wins for First Nation vs. Fish Farms

Two New Legal Wins for First Nation vs. Fish Farms The Dzawada’enuxw First Nation recently won two important legal victories against big Norwegian-owned salmon farming companies. Lawyer Jack Woodward explained in a recent video how Mowi and Cermaq tried – and failed – to derail this small nation from Kingcome Inlet’s federal court challenges to […]

Jack Woodward Speaks on Radio West with Sarah Penton

Jack Woodward, Q.C. speaks on Radio West with Sarah Penton about B.C. seeking legal advice on whether it can limit non-essential travel from out of province. Click HERE to listen.

  • Interviews

Jack Woodward to Speak at the Aboriginal Litigation Conference Hosted by the Pacific Business & Law Institute on January 12th. 

Jack Woodward to Speak at the Aboriginal Litigation Conference Hosted by the Pacific Business & Law Institute on January 12th.   Jack Woodward, Q.C will be speaking at the Aboriginal Litigation Conference hosted by the Pacific Business & Law Institute on January 12th. While there are a number of legal professionals speaking on a variety […]

  • Public Speaking

Vancouver Island First Nation calls on B.C. to honour UNDRIP in historic title case

Vancouver Island First Nation calls on B.C. to honour UNDRIP in historic title case Nuchatlaht First Nation says Crown counsel continues to stall the case using the ‘distasteful’ argument that the Nation ‘abandoned’ their land. Almost a year into B.C. adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) the Nuchatlaht First […]

B.C. argues Nuchatlaht Nation ‘abandoned’ its territory. Lawyer reminds court ‘land was stolen’

B.C. argues Nuchatlaht Nation ‘abandoned’ its territory. Lawyer reminds court ‘land was stolen’ 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. Experts say the argument is strange, possibly illegal and a step back for reconciliation. […]

Nuchatlaht Intervenes in SCC HMTQ V RICHARD LEE DESAUTEL

Nuchatlaht Intervenes in SCC HMTQ V RICHARD LEE DESAUTEL Nuchatlaht intervened in the Desautel case to resist BC’s argument about abandonment. The Nuchatlaht did not abandon their territory. They were forced off their land by colonial and provincial laws, and the Nuchatlaht have common cause with the Sinixt on that point. With the 2019 statute […]

Jack Woodward to Speak at the Pacific Business & Law Institute Webinar

Jack Woodward to Speak at the Pacific Business & Law Institute Webinar   January 12, 2021 The Pacific Business & Law Institute is hosting an online webinar where experts will present on the topic of Aboriginal litigation. The list of presenters includes but is not limited to Jack Woodward, Q.C., Mark Underhill,  Jennifer Chow, Q.C., […]

  • Public Speaking

Land Back: A webinar with Nuchatlaht Leaders!

Land Back: A webinar with Nuchatlaht Leaders! Join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5 pm PT/ 8pm ET online to hear from the Nuchatlaht people about their groundbreaking title case, their strong and sustainable vision for their lands and waters and how you can help. Speakers will include Nuchatlaht House Speaker Archie Little and […]

Native Law 2020 Release – 5

2020-5 Woodward Native Law This Release includes some updates to the law, and important revisions to the section Words and Phrases: Words and Phrases. The field of aboriginal law is inherently about definitions. Ever since 1763, when the Royal Proclamation created special laws for the protection of the lands of the “several Tribes and Nations of […]

  • Aboriginal Law in Canada Updates