Aboriginal Law Conference 2015


Course Date: November 6, 2015

Total: 3h 4min
Course Agenda ▼

Welcome and Introduction

Maria Morellato, QC — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Leah George-Wilson — Gowling LaFleur Henderson LLP, Vancouver

Latest Developments in the Case Law

The latest precedent-setting cases and their implications for provincial and federal decision-makers, administrative tribunals, industry proponents, and First Nations:

  • Nunatsiavut v. Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), 2015 FC 492
  • Alexandra Morton v. Minister of fisheries and Oceans and Marine Harvest Canada Inc, 2015 FC 57
  • Louie v. Louie, 2015 BCCA 247
  • R. v. Kokopenace, 2015 SCC 28
  • Fort Nelson First Nation v. British Columbia, 2015 BCSC 1180
  • Gottfriedson v. Canada, 2015 FC 706
  • Ominayak v. Penn West Petroleum Ltd, 2015 ABQB 342
  • Saik’uz First Nation and Stellat’en First Nation v. Rio Tinto Alcan Inc, 2015 BCCA 154
  • Yellowknives Dene First Nation v. Canada (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development), 2015 FCA 148

Kennedy A. Bear Robe — Miller Thomson LLP, Vancouver
Grand Chief Edward (Akile Ch'oh) John — First Nations Summit Society, West Vancouver
Glen R. Thompson — Ministry of Justice, Victoria

Questions & Discussion

Networking Break

Indigenous Legal Orders and Laws

  • the Supreme Court of Canada has expressly recognized the right of First Nations to be pro-actively involved in the management of their territorial lands; how can Indigenous legal orders and laws be recognized, incorporated, and accommodated?
  • useful examples and cases studies to draw from
  • Impact Benefit and Co-Management agreements—the journey of Imperial Metals and the Tahltan Community and the value of strong partnership

Pierre Lebel — Chairman, Imperial Metals Corporation, Vancouver
Millie Nickason, LLB, MPA — Faculty of Law, University of BC, Vancouver
Erin Tully — Department of Justice, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion

Lunch with Featured Speaker: "New Approaches to Reconciliation in Economic and Social Development" 

Geoffrey Plant, QC — Gall Legge Grant & Munroe LLP, Vancouver

Aboriginal Title to Seabeds, Lake and River Beds

  • to date, Aboriginal title has focused on territorial land rights, but how does Aboriginal title apply to seascapes as well as landscapes?; explore the jurisprudence and first principles that inform this question
  • explore the possible evidentiary basis for such title.

Isabel Jackson — Department of Justice, Vancouver
Clarine Ostrove — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson — White Raven Law Corporation, Surrey

Questions & Discussion

Networking Break

Resource Development and Environmental Assessment Processes—Pitfalls and Best Practices

  • updates on LNG, Kinder Morgan, Site C, and Northern Gateway
  • lessons learned on navigating environmental regulatory process and stewarding resource development issues within the Aboriginal law context
  • how can the Environmental Assessment Process be improved?

Becky Black — Ministry of Justice, Victoria
Terri-Lee Oleniuk — Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Calgary
Scott A. Smith — Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion

Aboriginal Title and Private Property

  • the Tsilhqot'in litigation did not consider private property's relationship to Aboriginal title, yet Aboriginal title may be claimed in relation to private lands in future cases
  • neither Aboriginal title nor private property interests are absolute in Canadian law, yet Aboriginal title has constitutional protection whereas private property does not
  • discuss how Aboriginal title may be reconciled with private property interests using the Supreme Court of Canada's developing framework

Professor John Borrows — Faculty of Law, University of Victoria, Victoria

Questions and Discussion