Posts by Leslie Anne St. Amour
The Paradox of Fire: Balancing regeneration and risk
I have a love-hate relationship with forest fires. They are one of the most beautiful and powerful manifestations of our environment and the force of nature. They are a source of rejuvenation and new life — but, as we know, they can also cause immense harm and pain. While I write this, there are multiple…
Read MoreCourt Update: Gitxaała’s Appeal Intervenor Arguments
What’s better than a beautiful, sunny, summer day? A court update on a beautiful, sunny, summer day! The legal team for Gitxaała have shared with us the facta (the written arguments) from the Intervenors and we’re here to give you the update. First up, what is an Intervenor? An intervenor is a party who is…
Read MoreEnd of the road for Neskantaga’s Rule 14 Application, not for their fight for self-determination
On October 20, 2023, a judge in Ontario Superior Court dismissed the application from Neskantaga First Nation, challenging the Ontario government for failing to fulfill its duty to consult and accommodate. Neskantaga’s Application alleged the Crown, in consultations over plans to build an access road to the Ring of Fire mining area, made it difficult,…
Read MoreThe Clock Might Stop But Canada is Still Dishonourable
To quote the esteemed Dr. Darcy Lindberg: “As long as the grass grows, the sun shines, and the rivers flow….and it’s within a limitation period” ~ Supreme Court of Canada proverb It turns out that Canada is willing to let the clock run out on some of the promises it makes. You may remember we…
Read MoreWhen Canada won’t step up, Heiltsuk moves across the pond to the UN.
On Mar 20, 2024 Heiltsuk leadership were in London, England speaking to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO is the United Nations agency responsible for international laws about shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. IMO Conventions are incorporated into Canadian law through the federal Marine Liability Act. Heiltsuk and the Inuit Circumpolar …
Read MoreHot Take: B.C. is Dripping Drama — how to make a mess of implementing DRIPA
Hey B.C.? Get your sh*t together please and thank you. You’re acting like a gaslighting boyfriend who promised me a romantic birthday dinner and then expected me to cook. As we know, back in 2019, B.C. passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Then, in 2022 the province released the first…
Read MoreBreaking News: Supreme Court affirms Indigenous self-governance in child welfare law, UNDRIP in groundbreaking decision
What is the TLDR? The long struggle for equity for Indigenous children and families has reached a milestone. In upholding Bill C-92, Canada’s Supreme Court also recognized that the federal government can pass laws which incorporate Indigenous laws, giving them the power of federal law. The Court agreed that, with this legislation, Canada did affirm…
Read MoreThe Next Chapter in West Moberly’s Legal Odyssey: a Rights Protection Intervention
West Moberly Nations continues its legal odyssey. On Nov. 7 and 8, 2023, West Moberly intervened in the matter of Attorney General (Ontario) v. Restoule et al. at the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). Read more to learn about how West Moberly continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with other Nations to advance Indigenous rights through the courts
Read MoreRights, Charter, Action! Wet’suwet’en to Canada: see you in court
On December 13, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled on both La Rose v Canada and Misdzi Yikh v Canada, breathing life back into these vital climate change litigation cases.
Read MoreBuckle up to zoom in on “R v Montour”
What does NASCAR and tobacco have to do with s. 35 Aboriginal and Treaty rights? Turns out: a lot. A landmark decision has outlined a new definition of Aboriginal rights that could usher in an era where Indigenous laws gain more influence in the country’s courts. In 2016 Derek White and Hunter Montour were busted…
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