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On November 5, 2009, President Obama issued a Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Relating to Consultation with Tribes. Posted on November 10, 2009 at 08:16 am by David

See AP story. Posted on October 27, 2009 at 04:38 am by David

See short article about the delay at: greatfallstribune.com Posted on October 26, 2009 at 09:28 am by David

The Nisga'a Nation has passed a historic law allowing Nisga'a citizens to own their own property. It is the first time in Canada that an aboriginal group has approved legislation to allow for private property rights. This was possible because under the 2000 Nisga'a Final Agreement, the Nisga'a gained certain self-government rights and freedom from Indian Act regulation. The Indian Act prevents Indian Band members from having fee simple title to their homes located on reserve land and from... Posted on November 20, 2009 at 01:11 pm

On November 18, 2009 BC Hydro released Questions and Answers (Q&A) on its website regarding BC Hydro's role with respect to First Nations consultation. The Q&A stems from uncertainty in the nature and scope of consultation required as a result of BC Court of Appeal decisions in Carrier Sekani Tribal Council v. British Columbia Utilities Commission, (2009 BCCA 67) and Kwikwetlem First Nation v. British Columbia Utilities Commission (2009 BCCA 68). The Q&A is directed to Independent... Posted on November 19, 2009 at 07:42 am

Today, in Ahousaht Indian Band and Nation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2009 BCSC 1494, Madam Justice Garson of the BC Supreme Court has ruled that the plaintiffs in the action (the Ehattesaht, the Mowachaht/Muchalaht, the Hesquiaht, the Ahousaht, and the Tla-o-qui-aht - five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations aboriginal bands whose territories are located on the west coast of Vancouver Island) have the aboriginal right to fish any species of fish within their respective traditional territories (to a... Posted on November 3, 2009 at 03:09 pm

Of all the battles Native American communities have been compelled to fight to preserve their heritage and dignity, their most unlikely and unexpected foes have now become the most well-known in popular culture: Vampires, and the Hollywood studios who love them. The Summit Entertainment cinematic release "New Moon" is easily the blockbuster film event of the year (and perhaps the Century). Set in the traditional lands of the Quileute Nation near Forks, Washington, it continues the "Twilight"... Posted on November 20, 2009 at 09:29 am

The Supreme Court of the United States has refused to hear a lawsuit on behalf of Native American activists who assert the Washington Redskins' football team name is so offensive that it does not deserve trademark protection. The decision lets stand a lower court ruling that under the legal doctrine of "laches", the plaintiffs waited too long to bring the challenge. The Court issued its ruling without substantive comment. American trademark law prohibits registration of a name that "may... Posted on November 16, 2009 at 03:21 pm

In conjunction with the 5 November 2009 Tribal Nations conference, President Obama has issued a White House Memorandum on Tribal Consultation to all executive departments and federal agencies. The Memorandum can be accessed here, and its full text is below: The United States has a unique legal and political relationship with Indian tribal governments, established through and confirmed by the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, executive orders, and judicial decisions. In... Posted on November 16, 2009 at 02:21 pm