Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge

Alberta Justice Finds that Alberta Independence Would Contravene Treaties with First Nations

The Alberta Court of King’s Bench found that Alberta independence would violate the Constitution by contravening Treaties between the Canadian Crown and First Nations in Treaties 6, 7 and 8.

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Alberta Justice Finds that Alberta Independence Would Contravene Treaties with First Nations (Chief Electoral Officer of Alberta v Sylvestre, 2025 ABKB 712) The Alberta Court of King’s Bench found that Alberta independence would violate the Constitution by contravening Treaties between the Canadian Crown and First Nations in Treaties 6, 7 and 8.

University of Alberta law Professor Tamara (Baldhead) Pearl joins us today on the blog to discuss some reflections on the rise of “Residential School denialism” and why some do not want to believe that there could be a future for Indigeneity. Click here to join this important discussion here .

Reflections on the rise of “Residential School denialism” and why some do not want to believe that there could be a future for Indigeneity. University of Alberta law Professor Tamara (Baldhead) Pearl joins us today on the blog to discuss reflections on the rise of “Residential School denialism” and why some do not want to believe that there could be a future for Indigeneity.

Accountable hearts: practising wahkohtowin and legal ethics in a multijuridical context. In supporting community-led Indigenous law research, how am I accountable to the communities I serve? https://tinyurl.com/4zhvj4wx

Image: Blooming anatomical heart with flowers, Canva Pro.

Join WLGL Legal Counsel Megan Reti as she reflects on the Building Indigenous Legal Lodges gathering that took place recently in beautiful Kananaskis.

Read more in the most recent blog post:

Reflecting on the Building Indigenous Legal Lodges Gathering Join me as I reflect on the Building Indigenous Legal Lodges gathering that took place recently in beautiful Kananaskis.

Membership is more than Indian Act status - it is identity, governance, and the future. This post explores section 10 of the Indian Act and the opportunity for Nations to reclaim belonging and strengthen Nationhood on their own terms.

Read our latest blog post here:

Legislating Belonging: Identity, Law & the Indian Act By Casey CainesAt the centre of Indian status and citizenship lies the pull between personal identity and state control. As Larry Gilbert writes, “[s]eeking and protecting one’s identity is a personal and a very human aspiration. It is seldom that the state intervenes and declares persons are no...

Check out today’s blog post on Bill S-2, its proposed amendments to the Indian Act, and how that could affect membership, status, and more. Also find links to more resources on Bill S-2.

Read blog here: https://www.reconciliactionyeg.ca/post/status-membership-and-bill-s-2-proposed-amendments-to-the-indian-act

We hosted our latest “Community Methods for Revitalizing Indigenous Laws” Workshop in February. Participants came from many Indigenous Nations and organizations, including Awas'ak Wiyasiwewin Kisihtamonwin, Cold Lake First Nations, Cote First Nation, Cowessess First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, Little Red River Cree Nation, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, O’Chiese First Nation, Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Waterhen First Nation. Legal professionals from Legal Aid Alberta, and several law firms, also participated. We gathered to learn together, about key legal concepts, practical tools, and effective methods for revitalizing and rebuilding Indigenous laws.

Everyone shared wisdom, knowledge, stories, and laughs while engaging in the hard work of legal analysis. Thank you to all who participated.

If you are interested in attending a future Community Research Methods workshop, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ihjANiQe1vzbgoCo7

Indigenous law vs. Aboriginal law: A Short Resource

The distinction between Indigenous law and Aboriginal law often matters in our work. This blog post gives a quick overview, including a 3 minute WLGL video .

Read more here:
https://www.reconciliactionyeg.ca/post/indigenous-law-vs-aboriginal-law-a-short-resource

While the recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction expands across Canada, the question of enforcement remains one of the most persistent barriers to Indigenous justice systems.

Read today’s blog post to join the ‘legal imaginary’ and reflect on ways forward in implementation and enforcement

Enforcing Indigenous Laws: Building Capacity and Pathways Forward By Casey CainesWhile the recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction expands across Canada, the question of enforcement remains one of the most persistent barriers to Indigenous justice systems. As Justice Canada’s Exploring Indigenous Justice Systems in Canada and Around the World report found, there ...

Thank you to everyone who braved the threat of a snow squall to come to our last Language Lunch of the academic year. It was great to see familiar faces and welcome new ones as well. We all enjoyed the warmth of the fire and of good food, conversation, and of course, laughter!

Thank you to Ken McDonald, from Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, who has patiently taught us some conversational Cree this past year.

The WLGL Language Lunch series recognizes that Indigenous languages are an important legal resource and a vital part of revitalizing Indigenous laws.