About us
We are here to provide trusted legal and strategic advice to Indigenous governments with respect and integrity.
Indigenous governments have an inherent right to govern over their respective lands, resources, and citizens. Under Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada and the formal adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) in Canada, the federal government and provincial governments must negotiate with Indigenous governments based on the recognition of Indigenous rights and title. This recognition means certainty of Indigenous jurisdiction and the exercise of Indigenous legal traditions. If the federal and provincial governments do not approach negotiations based on this recognition, we are left with uncertainty leaving Indigenous governments and these other levels of government in an adversarial position and often attempting to resolve disputes in a court of law.
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Lamar concluded the Delgamuukw v. British Columbia decision with these obvious but powerful words: “Let us face it, we are all here to stay”. This statement was made in the context of the reconciliation of the pre-existence of Indigenous societies with the assertion of Crown sovereignty. The highest court in the country is directing Indigenous, federal, and provincial governments to find a way to develop co-governance structures to bring certainty to jurisdictional decision-making in Canada.
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Aaron Bruce Law provides legal and strategic advice to Indigenous governments to advance reconciliation and Indigenous self-government based on the recognition of rights and title and the implementation of UNDRIP.