iPortal News: Law Archives

Assembly of First Nations Advocates For Former IRS Students

2012-05-10T14:20:38Z

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is continuing to advocate for the rights of former Indian Residential School (IRS) students. Recent developments surround a case currently being heard by the British Columbia Supreme Court regarding alleged wrong-doing by Calgary law firm Blott & Co. Kathleen Mahony, representing the AFN made arguments on behalf of some 1,400 claimants not yet registered by the law firm.

Lack of Aboriginal Jurors on Trial in Ontario Court

2012-05-02T16:19:40Z

The diversity of the makeup of juries in Ontario is being decided in a trial taking place in Ontario. The Government of Ontario is fighting the case being heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal stating, an accused has no "absolute right" to a representative jury.

Canadian Press Posted: Apr 29, 2012 2:26 PM ET

First Nations Child Welfare Advocates Win Court Ruling

2012-04-24T14:36:36Z

In an eagerly awaited verdict, the Federal Court ruled last week that the Federal Government cannot attempt to prevent First Nations groups from arguing for better funding for child welfare on reserves. The ruling effectively means that both parties will have a complete hearing about whether Ottawa is treating native children unfairly.

Canadian Press Posted: Apr 18, 2012 11:36 AM ET

Government of Canada Introduces Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act

2012-03-02T13:49:03Z

On February 29th, 2012, The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced the introduction of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act aimed at helping to protect drinking water on First Nation lands. The Act will ensure that drinking water and wastewater standards on First Nations lands are comparable to the standards enjoyed by all Canadians.

Career Influenced by Cree Values

2011-12-15T15:48:53Z

Donald Worme had a connection with the legal system prior to becoming a lawyer. He was a witness to his mother and his sisters murders. Despite this horrific event, Worme is the eternal optimist , and uses his grandfathers teachings of Cree values to continue the fight for human rights.

Ned Powers, Saskatoon Express, December 12-19th, 2011.

Critics Say Crime Bill Targets Aboriginals

2011-10-24T15:52:28Z

Gabrielle Giroday reports in the Winnipeg Free Press on October 25th, 2011 how Winnipeg social service groups held a news conference last week to discuss the omnibus crime bill C-10 which they feel unfairly targets aboriginal people and women. Five speakers spoke at the event, all opposing the bill.

Fundamentals of Aboriginal Law Course

2011-10-22T14:48:37Z

The Canadian Institute is offering the course, The Fundamentals of Aboriginal Law on Monday, October 24th and Tuesday, October 25th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Calgary, AB. The course is aimed at lawyers and non-lawyers in industry, government and aboriginal communities to minimize legal risks.

Doig River Band Creates Tribal Park

2011-10-04T14:50:23Z

Mark Hume, of the Globe and Mail, reported October 2nd, 2011 that the Doig River Band, with a population of 249, has announced that they are creating a 90,000 hectare "tribal park" on both sides of the British Columbia-Alberta border in the northern areas of the provinces. Legally, a tribal park may not exist but there are precedents. In 1984, for example, the Tla-o-qui-aht established an area to protect Meares Island, B.C. from logging, which it has done, a move that has had benefits for local tourism.

Lack of First Nations Jurors to be Reviewed in Ontario

2011-08-16T16:29:02Z

The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General made an announcement last Thursday, August 11th, appointing former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to lead a review into why First Nations members are underrepresented on Ontario juries. Iacobucci is expected to produce a report within a year.

Ontario Court Will Decide If Juries Unfair To Aboriginals

2011-08-08T14:59:14Z

Ontario's top court decided on July 29, 2011 to hear arguments about whether the makeup of jury panels is unfair to accused Aboriginals. In an unusual decision, the Appeal Court took the step of putting an appeal ruling on hold despite having decided a jury was reasonable to have convicted a man of manslaughter in 2008.

First Nations Get Tax Break On Off-Reserve Investments

2011-08-01T13:27:06Z

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that First Nations are exempt from taxes on revenues earned on investments made outside native reserves. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that First Nations are exempt from taxes on revenues earned on investments made outside native reserves.

Lakehead University Gets Law School With a Focus on Aboriginal Law

2011-07-16T15:14:52Z

Lakehead University, located in Thunder Bay, Ontario has won provincial approval to launch the law school it has long coveted, promising to gear its newest faculty to attract aboriginal students and focus on aboriginal law. A first class of 55 law students will enroll in September, 2013, with priority going to Northern and aboriginal applicants. They will be able to take courses on aboriginal law, which can range from indigenous legal principles to treaty or land-claim law.

Aboriginal British Columbians File Class Action Against Federal Government

2011-07-12T16:15:02Z

A class action was filed on May 30, 2011 by Sharon Russell against the Government of Canada on behalf of Aboriginal British Columbians who were apprehended as children by provincial welfare authorities. A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Ms. Russell was taken from her parents and kept away from her Gitksan community starting in 1964, at age seven.

B.C. First Nation Challenges Oil and Gas Tenures Sale

2011-06-26T13:52:29Z

The sale of oil and gas tenures in northeast British Columbia by the provincial government for $260-million is being challenged in court by a native band. The Dene Tha, a first nation that straddles the B.C.-Alberta-Northwest Territories boundaries, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of B.C. The band alleges that the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines failed to adequately consult with the first nation, or to undertake studies on the environmental impact of gas drilling, before selling the leases in the Cordova Basin, near Fort Nelson.

Human Rights Law Extends To Reserve Aboriginals

2011-06-23T13:41:17Z

A law which took effect on Saturday June 18, 2011 will allow people living on aboriginal reserves to seek protection under the Canadian Human Rights Act if they feel they have faced discrimination by their band council. The changes were passed into law in 2008 but only take effect now after a grace period. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo called on the federal government Thursday to ensure enough funds are supplied to implement the shift.