Yellowhead Logo Red

UNDRIP

The Politics of Process: B.C.’s Mineral Claims Regime and the Threat of an FPIC Freeze

/

In this Brief, Minh Do examines the legal and political fallout of Gitxaała v. British Columbia, tracing how B.C.’s mineral claims system permitted companies to acquire rights to Indigenous lands without consultation or consent – all while the province continues to defend state control over decision-making processes and ask what remains in UNDRIP if governments alone decide, when, how, and whether it applies.

The Politics of Process: B.C.’s Mineral Claims Regime and the Threat of an FPIC Freeze Read More »

The New Impact Assessment Regime: Cooperation Agreements, the Return of Provincial Power & Discretionary Indigenous Rights

/

Following Canada’s push for accelerated resource development, new “Cooperation Agreements” between the federal and provincial governance promise faster approvals for industry. In this Brief, Hayden King examines these agreements and finds that there are trade-offs for efficiency and coordination. This approach hands more authority to provincial governments, many already facing criticism for weak environmental oversight and inadequate consultation with Indigenous communities, and raises concerns about how Indigenous rights will be respected when the federal government abdicates its responsibilites.

The New Impact Assessment Regime: Cooperation Agreements, the Return of Provincial Power & Discretionary Indigenous Rights Read More »

Sovereignty and The Indigenous Screen Office: A Proposal to Reshape Canada’s International Cultural Strategy

/

In this Brief, Anton Clark highlights the role of the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), which was built on decades of Indigenous advocacy, to enact these principles by supporting Indigenous creators and shaping international diplomacy and the circulation of their stories.

Sovereignty and The Indigenous Screen Office: A Proposal to Reshape Canada’s International Cultural Strategy Read More »

The Elbows are Up: Ontario’s “Special Economic Zones” and Indigenous Rights

/

his week, despite clear opposition from Indigenous leaders, Ontario passed Bill C-5, a sweeping piece of legislation that weakens environmental protections and undermines the Duty to Consult. By creating “Special Economic Zones” and exempting major projects like the Eagle’s Nest Mine from assessment, the province has taken a significant step toward sidelining Indigenous rights and public oversight.

The Elbows are Up: Ontario’s “Special Economic Zones” and Indigenous Rights Read More »