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1. The Duty to Consult with Aboriginal Peoples: A Patchwork of Canadian Policies

   Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution states that “the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed”. In an attempt to provide greater clarity the constitution defines “treaty rights” as ...

2. Government increases funding for on-reserve housing but should grant property rights

   Appeared in the Whitehorse Daily Star, April 5, 2016 In its recent federal budget, the Liberal government committed $227 million in 2016/17 to “address urgent housing needs on reserve,” noting that First Nations people living on reserve are “more likely ...

3. Property rights, not more funding, to help improve housing conditions on First Nations reserves

   Statistics Canada recently released aboriginal fact sheets outlining education, housing and income statistics for aboriginal people in Canada. In regards to housing, the data show that in every province the percentage of on-reserve First ...

4. First Nations funding in Canada—four streams with substantial growth

   A recent op-ed cited the “myth of underfunding” of First Nations communities in Canada. Whatever your opinion on the issue, the facts are clear. Consider the four streams of revenue that flow to First Nations across the country. ...

5. First Nations support LNG development in B.C.

   Last week, pro LNG rallies were held in Terrace, Fort St. John and in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. Hundreds of residents and LNG workers attended the rallies supporting LNG projects in their communities. Some may be surprised to learn ...

6. Rhetoric about First Nations employment doesn’t match up with government’s first budget

   In his first budget speech, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau (pictured above) highlighted the importance of helping aboriginal Canadians gain employment and enter the market economy. He stated in the house that: “We simply cannot ...

7. Troubled Waters—uncertainty around Aboriginal land claims

   One of the most important policy issues that must be addressed by federal and provincial governments is the lack of land certainty and modern treaties in Canada. With governments failing to act, this issue is resulting in increased ...

8. Own-source revenue: a non-government source of revenue for aboriginal communities

   Given Prime Minister Trudeau’s vows of a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Canada’s indigenous peoples, aboriginal issues will likely be a key element in the upcoming federal budget. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) ...

9. Government Spending and Own-Source Revenue for Canada's Aboriginals: A Comparative Analysis

   With average unemployment rates on reserve above 20% and graduation rates below 40%, there is a clear gap in outcomes between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in Canada. This is sometimes blamed on funding disparities. This study provides a fact-based ...

10. Mining and First Nations collaboration thriving in the land of living skies

    Appeared in the Battlefords News-Optimist, March 7, 2016 We often hear about First Nation communities in Canada opposing natural resource projects. Whether it’s an LNG plant in British Columbia or mining projects in eastern Canada, the news is full of ...