We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
Why “Not Started”
In 2020 alone, the federal government along with 9 provinces – BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador – have all initiated actions against the acknowledgement and acceptance of Aboriginal Rights and Title including the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius i.e. Aboriginal Rights and Title and Indigenous laws and traditions are secondary to provincial ownership and control of resource extraction. (See Perspectives: IW Status Updates Nov. 9, 2020 Part 1-Current Problems and Issues)
Not a lot of progress on this C2A within any jurisdiction although the federal government has repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius through Minister of Crown Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in May, 2017. No formal, legislative repudiation, however, or details on how governments(s) will reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
Current Status
April 4, 2022
Not Started
Previous Status
February 14, 2022
Not Started
Latest Updates
Site last updated on October 24, 2021
Montreal Canadians Land Acknowledgement
Toronto Star – The Montreal Canadians Land Acknowledgement preceding a hockey game “that’s launched hysterical editorials, hours of inane talk radio chatter and the interference……
October 24, 2021
New policy on territorial land acknowledgment
Government of New Brunswick’s – GNB new policy on territorial land acknowledgment which forbids GNB staff from issuing territorial or title acknowledgments, is purported to……
October 15, 2021
Métis Nation challenge to “2010 First Nation and Métis Consultation Policy Framework”
Métis Nation -Saskatchewan has filed a claim against the provincial government challenging the validity of the “2010 First Nation and Métis Consultation Policy Framework” that……
September 16, 2020
Rebuilding First Nations Governance Project
Carleton University – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council is funding $2.5 million over six years to support the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project, an……
August 17, 2020
Renaming “Discovery Day”
Renaming “Discovery Day” which was established to celebrate the discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot in 1497. Consultations must take place with Indigenous governments and……
June 18, 2020
Review of Laws and Policies
Review of laws and policies related to Indigenous Peoples
Prime Minister Trudeau announced the review of laws and policies related to Indigenous Peoples. The Working Group of Ministers responsible for the review will: examine……
February 22, 2017