The Yellowhead Brief

The Indian Department

“Fast-Track” to Disaster: BC’s Bill 14/15, Indigenous Rights & the Climate Crisis

As Provincial and Federal laws to expedite resource development proliferate across the country, Indigenous people are being told they will be involved — and to just be patient. However, Janna Wale and Michaela McGuire review BC’s Bill 14 and 15, finding much to be concerned about and an urgency to address it. These concerns relate to Indigenous rights but also the health of the environment — both of which appear to be sacrificed for “fast-tracked” industrial development in the province.

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

This 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.

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A Decade of Disappointment: Reconciliation & the System of a Crown

Last week the Federal Government released the 2024-2025 budget, with new funding allocations for Indigenous communities. While these allocations are significant and there are even new policy approaches to be found in the budget, chronic shortfalls and the historically paternalistic Crown-Indigenous financial relationship remain.

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Reforming First Nation Child and Family Services: A Critical Review of the Final Agreement

In mid-July, after years of Human Rights Tribunal Rulings, litigation and negotiation, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) announced an agreement with Canada aiming to end discrimination against First Nation children in the child welfare system. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak hailed the agreement as a turning point and thanked the “Government for coming

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