Update on Programs, Meetings and Staying Involved

We are excited to share our recent initiatives and upcoming programs relating to Aboriginal law and hope you will get involved. To start, find out who’s on the 2018-2019 executive and don’t hesitate to contact us.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

• Free teleconference for CBA members (Teleconference | February 19, 2019)
  Join colleagues for a teleconference on The Duty to Consult: Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (SCC, 2018) hosted by the Public Sector Lawyers Section.
• Webinar on Indigenous Property Rights for Real Estate Lawyers (Online | May 30, 2019)
  The Aboriginal Law and Real Property Sections are co-hosting a webinar aiming to give practitioners an essential and practical primer on aboriginal real property rights. More information on registration will be posted here.
• CBA Aboriginal Law Conference (Banff, AB | June 19-21, 2019)
  Plan to attend the National Aboriginal Law Conference in Banff this June, where we’ll examine implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit one of Canada’s premiere national parks and to meet, network and learn from the country’s top experts in Aboriginal law. Registration is open!

RECENT MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (JANUARY 29, 2019)

Seven members of the Section Executive recently participated in the Aboriginal Law Section’s annual meeting in Ottawa with subject matter experts from Justice Canada. There was a lively exchange of views and perspectives involving:

• Changes to the First Nations Land Management Act, the First Nations Fiscal Management Act and the additions to reserves process;
• Canada’s approach to implementing UNDRIP;
• Recent Specific Claims Tribunal decisions;
• Implementation of the TRC’s Calls to Action;
• Analysis of the recent SCC decision in Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada;
• An update on the registration provisions of the Indian Act following Bill S-3;
• The CBA’s submission on Bill S-3 Indian Act Amendments (Sexual Equality); and
• A behind the scenes look at the Attorney General of Canada’s new Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples.

Overall, it was a positive meeting that highlighted Federal government progress. For instance, the Directive on Civil Litigation, while always a work in progress, is the culmination of improvements made over the past two years. A meeting summary will be published on our webpage shortly.

STAY INVOLVED!

• We encourage Section members to write articles on recent cases or issues of interest. Feel free to submit articles, news or links to our Communications Committee, through Brian Hebert for publication.
• We also welcome you to join a committee and participate in our Section’s advocacy efforts through our Law Reform Committee that makes submissions on topics of interest.
• Finally, remember that as a member you receive updates and can connect with other members through our all member Aboriginal Law Section Listserv. Sign up! If you encounter any issues, please let us know!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Derek Simon
Chair, CBA Aboriginal Law Section