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Land sovereignty. What does it mean to a First Nation? How can it be achieved?

Chief Gerry Duquette Jr. leads his community of Dokis First Nation in Ontario. He has hands-on experience with Canada's flawed Additions-to-Reserve policy. There's a huge backlog of communities that have to get federal approval before adding lands to their reserves – even tiny parcels that could be added in hours, or even days – not decades as is often the case.

Chief Duquette sat down with host Richard Perry to share his concerns about the current ATR process and how it can be improved to the benefit of Nations.

LINKS:

Dokis First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Phil Goulais has strong opinions about the need to radically redesign Canada's flawed Additions-to-Reserve policy.

He knows the process well. Goulais is a respected former chief of Nipping First Nation, Grand Chief of the Robinson-Huron Territory and former Indian Commissioner of Ontario.

He has seen first-hand how Nations are hindered, even blocked from adding critical new land to their reserves –  land needed for economic growth, new housing, cultural protection and many other kinds of development.

He spoke with host Richard Perry about his connection to the land and how the federal ATR policy is failing First Nations communities.

LINKS:

Nippissing First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Grand Chief Willie Charlie of Sta'ailes First Nation says a much faster Additions-to-Reserve process will help communities prosper.

He has seen the cost of long delays. Politicians have always promised to make ATRs go faster, but he says it's the bureaucracy at different levels that ruins the process.

He spoke recently with host Richard Perry. We apologize that the sound quality is less than optimal but the conversation is a definite must-listen!

LINKS:

Sts'ailes First Nation

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Join us in our continuing series on Canada's Additions-to-Reserve policy and how it's failing our First Nations communities.

If you’re unfamiliar with Additions to reserve - or ATR - it’s the process through which Canada allows land to be added to a First Nation’s reserve. But it’s often a long, frustrating, and inefficient journey. 

In this episode with Melissa MacDonald of Membertou (NS) we’ll explore why ATRs matter to First Nations, the opportunities they bring, and the challenges posed by a policy that Canada itself has acknowledged as broken. 

Please comment, provide a rating and share with your personal networks!

LINKS:

Membertou 

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Joseph Tootoosis is a lands and economic strategy advisor with a special interest in sovereignty, land restitution and redress. He also sees the need for a drastic overhaul in Canada's Additions-to-Reserve policy, a complicated process that hurts First Nations trying to add to their reserve land base.

Why do ATRs matter to First Nations? What opportunities are Bands missing out on? How does adding land relate to Indigenous sovereignty?

We address those questions in this podcast episode. Joseph and host Richard Perry begin by making the connection between land and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

LINKS:

Joseph Tootoosis on Linkedin

Flying Dust First Nation

Kekwetlem First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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In this special series we’re diving into Canada’s Additions-to-Reserve policy — a crucial yet complex issue for First Nations communities across the country. 

If you’re unfamiliar with Additions to reserve - or ATR - it’s the process through which Canada allows land to be added to a First Nation’s reserve. But it’s often a long, frustrating, and inefficient journey. 

In this episode, Chief Derek Epp of Ch’íyáqtel (formerly Tzeachten First Nation) in B.C. talks about an exciting pilot project that shows the process can happen much more quickly. It's a tool that can help Nations grow socially and economically.

LINKS:

Tzeachten First Nation

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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The path to reclaiming land governance is far from easy, but adding lands to a First Nation's land base is essential for a community's long-term sustainability.

In this special series, we explore why the federal Additions-to-Reserve policy matters to First Nations. We unpack the intricacies of land rights in conversations with leaders demanding change to an often slow and complex process..which even the Government of Canada admits is broken.

In this episode, host Richard Perry speaks with Chief Kelly LaRocca of Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation in Ontario.

LINKS:

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation website

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

Federal Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Chief Scott McLeod of Nipissing First Nation says his communty and most other First Nations have been disrupted by the process of colonization and are trying to find their way back.

This includes what has been described as a crisis – the lack of enforcement of First Nations laws.

He told host Richard Perry that so-called "Crown' land, where his people have been sustained for centuries, can no longer continue to be withheld from the true rights holders.


Links:

• Contact Chief McLeod by email: scottm@nfn.ca
• Nipissing First Nation website
• 2023 Conference on Enforcing First Nation Laws website for updates and resources
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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Tim Raybould is one of Canada's leading consultants in First Nations policy and governance.

For over twenty-five years Tim has provided professional advice to First Nations and Indigenous organizations in Canada and has been directly involved in a number of Indigenous–led sectoral and comprehensive governance initiatives.

Tim was Westbank First Nation’s self-government negotiator and remains active in title and rights issues for Westbank including participating in reconciliation negotiations with the Crown as part of the Okanagan Nation. He has been a senior advisor to the BC Assembly of First Nations and co-authored the BCAFN governance toolkit: a guide to nation building. Tim is the senior policy advisor to the First Nations Finance Authority and has worked with the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Land Management Board and the former National Centre for First Nations Governance. He is also a faculty member for the Banff Centre’s Aboriginal Leadership and Management program.

Raybould encourages First Nations leaders to keep fighting for self-government and the establishment of First Nations courts within their own Indigenous justice systems. He sat down with host Richard Perry prior to delivering his address at the 2023 National Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws.

Links:
Tim Raybould on LinkedIn
2023 Conference website for updates and resources
First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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Jackie Lombardi graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law on the Dean's Honour List with a Distinction in Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Legal Traditions.

She brought her valuable perspective to the 2023 National Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws, hosted by the First Nations Lands Advisory Board and First Nations Land Management Resource Centre.

She joined host Richard Perry for a conversation about her role with the Chiefs of Ontario and why solutions are required to overcome gaps in law enforcement in First Nations.

Links:

• Conference website for future follow-up materials and updates –https://www.2023firstnationenforcementconference.com/
• Jackie Lombardi on LinkedIn
• Chiefs of Ontario website

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Whitecap Dakota First Nation, near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been a leading example of a community taking back control of law enforcement.

Murray Long, Director of Self-Government,  joins host Richard Perry to explain how this progressive First Nation is working with government partners to make significant progress. The conversation was recorded in June 2023 at the National Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws.

Links:

Conference website for updates and resource materials
Whitecap Dakota First Nation website
Murray Long on LinkedIn
Land Management Resource Centre website

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Melissa Tokarek shares her community's interest in law enforcement from its perspective as a nation with its own land code.

She takes a particular interest in environmental laws, no doubt due to her background as an Environmental Cooordinator with Defence Construction Canada and an Environmental Scientist with then-Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. She earned her Master of Science in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University.

She sat down with host Richard Perry at the 2023 National Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws, hosted by the First Nation Lands Advisory Board and the First Nations Lands Advisory Board.

Links:

• Conference website for updates, resources and follow-up materials.
• Malahat Nation website
• Melissa Tokarek on LinkedIn
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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Lee-Ann O'Brien has a unique view of First Nation law enforcement, which she shared in this conversation with podcast host Richard Perry.

O'Brien is deputy chief of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, a stand-alone First Nation police service with a very unique and complex jurisdiction.

Today, the force has 42 sworn officers and 11 civilian members, including six full-time public safety dispatchers. It has jurisdiction and authority in Quebec and Ontario.

The Mohawk territory of Akwesasne includes portions in Ontario and Quebec within Canada and New York State of the United States of America. It is situated along the St. Lawrence River and spans approximately 25,000 acres of land, including 37 km of waterways and 57 islands. 

No other First Nation community in Canada has this unique jurisdiction and geographic features.

Links:

• Lee-Ann O'Brien on LinkedIn
• Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service website
• Mohawk Council of Akwesasne website
• 2023 Conference website for updates and resources
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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Few have such a deep understanding of Indigenous justice issues than Hon. Steven Point, a former judge and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia.

From 1975 to 1999, Point served as Chief of the Skowkale First Nation. From 1994 to 1999 he served as Tribal Chair of the Stó:lō Nation.

He brought a positive, hopeful message to 600 delegates attending the 2023 Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws, held in June 2023.

He spoke with host Richard Perry about the simplicity (but effectiveness) of traditional Indigenous conflict resolution and its relevance to the search for modern day solutions among First Nations in Canada.

Links:

• Hon. Steven Point on Wikipedia
• Hon. Steven Point, Chancellor of UBC
• 2023 Conference website for updates and resource materials
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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Grand Chief Garrison Settee has a bold vision for improved law enforcement in the member communities of MKO.

He tells an impassioned story about helping a community grapple with non-existent enforcement during the Covid outbreak and the fortitude it took by a team of committed leadership to find a solution.

He joined host Richard Perry at the 2023 Conference on the Enforcement of First Nation Laws, hosted by the First Nations Lands Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre.

Links:

• 2023 Conference website updates and resources
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) website
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website

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SHOW NOTES

Andrew Beynon, Director of Land Governance, gives us a sneak preview of the first national conference to be held on solving the crisis of ineffective law enforcement in our land code communities.

The National Conference on Enforcement of First Nations Laws will be held June 6-8, 2023 in Ottawa-Gatineau. More than 500 participants are expected.

00:50 - Why it is critical to bring together this national conference on enforcement of First Nations laws.

2:20 - There is more recognition of self-government, but what good is it without the ability to enforce laws enacted under new land codes? We must fix this legacy of failure, a real gap.

4:20 - Theme for day one: federal/provincial action plans. Is anything really happening on the ground? Andrew mentions progress being made in some jurisdictions such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

6:07 - Theme for day two: success stories. What has to happen next? How are pilot projects proceeding?

7:25 - Theme for day three: First Nations policing.  Many communities rely on the RCMP or provincial policing, and they are overstretched already. Some laws however do not require a police element. How should they be dealt with?

11:45 - Possibility of a national coalition? This will be discussed at the conference due to the degree of interest in solving enforcement issues. It is up to First Nations leadership to consider this as a positive next step. There are common issues across the country. Andrew mentions specific communities doing interesting things.

15:03 - Andrew hopes that participants leave the conference with enthusiasm and optimism. Solutions in policing, prosecution and the courts can be found.

LINKS

• Andrew Beynon's email: andrew.beynon@labrc.com
• First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website
• Conference event website
• Conference agenda (tentative)
• Collaborative Approaches to Enforcement of Laws in Indigenous Communities: Report of House Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

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Lawrence Lamouche and Elvis Thomas share the unique and inspirational story of how both contribute to land management at Woodland Cree First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta. It is the first Alberta nation to enact its own land code.

Lawrence manages the traditional land portfolio while Elvis is the go-to contact for land code on the reserve proper.

Woodland Cree is a 'young' band, having been created in 1989, and it just voted to enact its own land code in November 2022.

It is refreshing to hear how both men, with leadership from Chief and Council, helped get the nation out of more than 30 land-related provisions of the Indian Act so their community could start to grow at the 'speed of business'.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Woodland Cree First Nation Website: https://www.woodlandcree.net/

Woodland Cree Facebook videos: https://www.facebook.com/wcfn474/videos

Woodland Cree 'A vision for the future' video: https://youtu.be/2IVQgNi5cOE

Lawrence Lamouche (traditional lands) email: lawrencejr_8@hotmail.com

Elvis Thomas (Reserve Land Code) email: elvis@woodlandcree.net

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website: https://www.labrc.com

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Jasmine Pouce Coupe has some advice for First Nations considering adopting their own land codes to take control of their lands and resources. Communicate well, and often! Repeat important messages to your community members.

Jasmine is helping guide Doig River First Nation, near Fort St. John, BC, as it develops a community-based land code. Has the effort been worth it? Absolutely, she says, and even more important now that Doig River has signed a Land Entitlement Agreement after 23-years of negotiation, a deal that will see a new urban reserve and new business development.

As she told host Richard Perry, she is incredibly proud of the community's accomplishments.

Episode runs 20:36.

Land Decolonized was ranked #1 in Apple Canada's non-profit directory in May 2021. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts.

LINKS
To reach Jasmine by email: jpoucecoupe@doigriverfn.com
Doig River First Nation website
Land Management Resource Centre website

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Kim Guerin learned from an early age that a small First Nation could take on the Canadian government and win.

Her father spearheaded a legal battle over lease rights that went to the Supreme Court. R v Guerin affirmed that Ottawa has a fiduciary duty to a First Nation, that it is in a position of trust to act on the First Nation's best interests.

Musqueam is also part of the growing Land Code movement in Canada. It managed its own lands and resources in one of the most populated urban centres in Canada...the heart of Vancouver.

Ms. Guerin spoke with host Richard Perry about pride in community and why she sees land and sovereignty as critical pieces of Musqueam's future.

LINKS:
Musqueam Indian Band
First Nations Land Management Resource Centre
R. v Guerin Supreme Court decision

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In this episode, land management trainee Bart Metansinine talks about his community of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (AZA), which was once known as the Lost Nation. By signing onto the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management, Bart says his community can move forward with development that will attract members home.

He credits fellow band staff members, Land Management Resource Centre staff and Dokis First Nation Chief Gerry Duquette, Jr. for their mentorship during his journey from working in the woods to a career in carpentry and now land management.

Links:
AZA website
Land Management Resource Centre
Episode 2  with Chief Gerry Duquette, Jr,  Dokis First Nation
Bart Metansinine email: bartm@aza.ca
John Makson, Exec. Producer, email: podcast@labrc.com

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In this episode, you'll meet Tania Solonas, land management officer with the McLeod Lake Indian Band. With about 500 members, MLIB is one of the most experienced First Nations with the land code process, being the second in the province and among the first in Canada to sign onto the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.

You'll discover:

• how the Band's addition to Treaty 8 in 2000 sparked interest in the land code;
• why having a land code isn't a one-shot deal; it can be modified over time;
• challenges exist even with a land code. Some community priorities can still wait years for implementation;
• why the community sees a need to ratify an amendment this year to address enforcement issues;
• where McLeod Lake Indian Band sees future development opportunities beyond the current Duz Cho Group of Companies.

For more information, visit www.mlib.ca. Please comment wherever you listen to this podcast. You can also send comments or suggestions to our executive producer John Makson at podcast@labrc.com or host Richard Perry at podcast@richardperry.ca

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Show Notes

Down...but not out!

On this episode of the Land Decolonized podcast, Jordon Hatton shares the incredible comeback story of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabeck, an Ojibwa First Nation in Ontario. Its land was taken by the province in the 1940s to make a provincial park, but was eventually returned so a new reserve could be created.

Jordan is Director of Economic Development. He shares the sad history of the dispossession, but the modern climate that saw the land returned, a reserve created, and a Land Code passed by the community in 2014.

Key topics:

• Location and history of Sand Point First Nation
• The rationale for signing onto the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
• Key goals in community and land planning
• Forecasting potential economic opportunities and residential development

Links:

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabeck
First Nations Lands Management Resource Centre

Jordan Hatton's email: jhatton@bnafn.ca

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With the 2021 annual general meeting right around the corner, Lands Advisory Board Chair Robert Louie joins host Richard Perry for a thorough review of current challenges and opportunities around the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, including the Covid pandemic, fires and floods in western Canada, and the ongoing delays over a key legislative change needed in Ottawa.

Robert offers his personal take on:

• what de-colonization means on the road to economic and political independence;
• his frustration over political delays on necessary legislative reform;
• his appreciation for regional Resource Centre staff who have worked through difficult circumstances while serving land code communities;
• the need for greater public education on  reconciliation and the value of economic empowerment of First Nations.
• the importance of resisting colonial mindsets and lingering practices.
  
  Links:
• Long Plain First Nation and Canada settle 100-year-old land sales dispute for $32 million (CBC News article mentioned in our conversation)
• First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre
• Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management FAQs
• Land Decolonized podcast page on FNLMRC website

SHOW IDEAS? Contact John Makson, executive producer: podcast@labrc.com or landdecolonized@labrc.com.  Contact Richard Perry, host: podcast@richardperry.ca

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Respected elder Albert Marshall, Sr. joins Richard to talk about his lifelong quest to protect the environment in the face of continued demands to use Indigenous lands and resources for economic development.

He discusses the two important concepts of Two-Eyed Seeing and Netukulimk and how they can help reach consensus on the best path forward. To Albert, it's all about talking with one another and listening deeply.

LINKS:

Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources home page
Concept of Netukulimk explained
Article: Did Eels Change the Course of History?
First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

2021 Virtual Annual General Meeting details - Dec. 14/15, 2021

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SHOW NOTES:
1:24   Ty describes the rationale for his community entering the Land Code process.
2:49   Having a land code has cleared up some confusion and potential conflicts of interest around land use.
5:44   Ty's background in environmental and soil sciences is ideal for his current work as reserve land manager. His work experience began up north.
8:35 Land codes are always a work in progress, but environmental protection is in the draft stage for all 19 reserves, ensuring that quality of lands is sacrosanct and that violations will lead to stuff penalties. No longer 'the wild west.'
12:17  Talks are underway to explore Treaty 6 agricultural benefits, more commonly referred to 'Cows and Plows'. Chief and council taking the lead on this.
13:55   A huge benefit is being able to take advantage of owning huge tracts of agricultural land - about 35,000 acres that is rented out. That revenue is no longer controlled by Indigenous Services Canada.
15:35   Lac La Ronge Indian Band has stepped in to help with emergency relief for homeless people in the tri-communities area.
19:12.  Ty comments on a recent award to Chief Tammy Cook-Searson by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
21:09. The community is launching ground radar searching for the graves of those lost in two residential schools in the area.
22:31   Ty describes the emotional difficulties when talking about de-colonizing, the need to be heard and recognized so people can hear the truth, that there will no reconciliation without the truth. He says Land Code can help.
25:01.  He has been fortunate in his own life to succeed in the outside education, but has benefited from traditional teaching, so has seen himself walking in two worlds.
26:51. Ty has exciting news about the birth of their first son, Watson Edward Roberts!
28:00. His contact: ty.roberts@llrib.ca. The band also has an active website and Facebook page which has current info including job postings.
28:51  Richard's extra and call-to-action to visit labrc.com for current news and important upcoming online events.

LINKS:
Ty Roberts email - ty.roberts@llrib.ca
Lac La Ronge Indian Band website
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Facebook page
First Nations Land Management Resource Centre website