Opinion | It’s time to speak up on Indigenous land rights – Hamilton Spectator

Nov. 26, 2021

Indigenous resistance actions arise across Canada because our governments fail to do their job properly.

The Crown (provincial or federal) has a legal “duty to consult” with “Aboriginal peoples” when the governments “contemplate” proposals for uses of traditional or treaty lands that may affect “Aboriginal and treaty rights.” Those rights are “recognized and affirmed” in the Constitution Act of Canada, and in hundreds of Supreme Court of Canada rulings.

The Crown in Ontario and in B.C. consulted only with First Nations Elected Band Councils, ignoring the Haudenosaunee and Wet’suwet’en traditional councils, despite their concerns being known publicly. Governments also know that traditional chiefs and councils are the “rights holders” on traditional and treaty territory, while First Nations Elected Band Councils hold land rights only on reserves.

Read More: https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2021/11/26/its-time-to-speak-up-on-indigenous-land-rights.html