Legislation and Legal Issues

1911 – Act – Songhees Indian Reserve Act (c. 24)

Electronic version of an Act respecting the Songhees Indian Reserve.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1943-44 – Act – British Columbia Indian Reserves Mineral Resources Act (c. 19)

Electronic version of the The British Columbia Indian Reserves Mineral Resources Act.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1973 – Judgment – Calder v. Attorney-General of British Columbia

Electronic version of the case Calder v. Attorney-General of British Columbia.

Source: Supreme Court of Canada

1980-83 – Act – Fort Nelson Indian Reserve Minerals Revenue Sharing Act (c. 38)

Electronic version of an Act to implement an agreement between Her Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia and Her Majesty in right of Canada respecting the sharing of revenues from the exploitation of minerals in the Fort Nelson Indian Reserve.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1984 – Act – British Columbia Indian Cut–off Lands Settlement Act (c. 2)

Electronic version ot the Act to provide for the settlement of claims by Indian bands in British Columbia relating to certain lands cut off from their reserves.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1986 – Act – Sechelt Indian Band Self–Government Act (c. 27)

The purposes of this Act are to enable the Sechelt Indian Band to exercise and maintain self-government on Sechelt lands and to obtain control over and the administration of the resources and services available to its members.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1995 – Act – British Columbia Treaty Commission Act (c. 45)

The purpose of this Act is to establish the British Columbia Treaty Commission as undertaken in the Agreement.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

1996 – Act – Indian Self Government Enabling Act (RSBC, c. 219)

This page provides the provisions and complete text of the Indian Self Government Enabling Act of 1996.

Source: Government of British Columbia; BC Laws

1997 – Judgment – Delgamuukw v. British Columbia

Electronic version of the case Delgamuukw v. British Columbia.

Source: Government of Canada; Supreme Court of Canada

2000 – Act – Nisga'a Final Agreement Act (c. 7)

Electronic version of an Act to give effect to the Nisga'a Final Agreement.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

2004 – Act – Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act (c. 17)

Provides the full text of the 2004 Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act.

Source: Government of Canada; Justice Canada, Department of

Aboriginal People and the Law in British Columbia (PDF)

This guide is for professionals who work with Aboriginal people. It summarizes some of the common legal issues facing Aboriginal people in their daily lives.

Source: Legal Services Society

Aboriginal Rights

Aboriginal rights refer to practices, traditions and customs that distinguish the unique culture of each First Nation and were practised prior to European contact.

Source: British Columbia Treaty Commission

Aboriginal Services - Legal Aid BC

Source: Legal Services Society

Aboriginal Title: The Supreme Court of Canada Decision in Delgamuukw v. British Columbia

This paper provides a summary review of selected noteworthy findings in the Supreme Court decision on Aboriginal title.

Source: Government of Canada; Parliament of Canada

Benefits, Services and Resources for Aboriginal Peoples (PDF)

Provides information on benefits, services, and resources that may be available to registered Indians who live on or off reserve, and information on how to apply for these benefits.

Source: Legal Services Society

Benefits, Services, and Resources for Aboriginal Peoples (PDF)

Source: Legal Services Society

Delgamuukw Decision, The – Delgamuukw

Some of the key points in the decision are listed in this article in language taken straight from the ruling.

Source: Gitxsan Chiefs' Office

First Nations and Taxation of Real Estate on Reserve Lands – Assessment Services for First Nations

Discusses the way First Nations can assess and tax real property on their reserve lands, and the services that BC Assessment can provide in this regard.

Source: BC Assessment

Nisga'a Final Agreement, The

Outlines the historical background to the Nisga'a Final Agreement, selected Final Agreement provisions, issues of concern arising during the ratification process, the ratification process itself, and judicial proceedings related to the Final Agreement.

Source: Government of Canada; Parliament of Canada

Programs and Resources for Aboriginal Peoples

This page provides short overviews of various programs and services that are offered to Aboriginals by the Justice Education Society in BC.

Source: Justice Education Society of BC

Scow Institute, The

The Institute focuses on legal issues that affect Aboriginal people and helps to work towards greater understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.

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