Naiomi Metallic and Sébastien Grammond look at ramifications of the the Supreme Court's decision not to hear Chief Simon et al. v. Canada, which would have given the court the chance to address what is a pressing issue for First Nations communities.

Cindy Kieu of Shores Jardine LLP looks at the Federal Court of Appeal decision in Yellowknives Dene First Nation v. Canada, which she says is significant in demonstrating the reviewing court’s willingness to place the Crown’s duty to consult on the shoulders of administrative tribunals mandated to conduct environmental assessments.

Cassandra Porter and Natai Shelsen of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP in Toronto look at the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R v. Kokopenace, which they say represents a missed opportunity to address the alienation of Aboriginal Peoples from the criminal justice system.

IA longstanding dispute before the courts dealing with the Cree Nation’s challenge to the management of forestry activity’s in northern Quebec has been resolved with the signing of an agreement between the Québec government and the Eeyou Istchee Cree Nation. Yvan Houle of BLG provides details of the agreement along with some historical perspective.

Meaghan Conroy and Rebecca Hansen look at the state of consultations with Métis in provincially regulated projects in Alberta. Despite the fact that the province is home to the largest Métis population in Canada, they say there is no official consultation policy.