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Val Napoleon

The History of Canadian and Indigenous Law

Dr. Napoleon focuses her research in the field of Indigenous legal traditions and governance, among other relevant areas.

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Sencanada.ca. (2017). [online] Available at: https://sencanada.ca/Content/Brochure/ParliamentaryTreasures/images/history-canada/04-ConsAct.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Wampumchronicles.com. (2017). [online] Available at: http://www.wampumchronicles.com/remembrancebelt.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Mysteriesofcanada.com. (2017).  [online] Available at: https://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Fathers-of-Confederation.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Tce-live2.s3.amazonaws.com. (2017).  [online] Available at: https://tce-live2.s3.amazonaws.com/media/media/43cb3921-bb9b-4a07-818d-0f1dfeb80b26.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Aptn.ca. (2017). [online] Available at: http://aptn.ca/pages/news/files/2012/10/INDIAN_ACT_REAX.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Rightedition.com. (2017). [online] Available at: http://rightedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill-of-rights.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Uvic.ca. (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.uvic.ca/news-management/stories/2013/indigenous-law-graphic-novel/photos/Panel-WetikoLR2-15.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Data2.archives.ca. (2017). [online] Available at: http://data2.archives.ca/e/e431/e010758222-v8.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

Blogs.mcgill.ca. (2017). [online] Available at: http://blogs.mcgill.ca/humanrightsinterns/files/2016/08/14046045_10205607782228422_5043506708122081830_n.jpg [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

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Dr. Napoleon focuses her research in the field of Indigenous legal traditions and governance, among other relevant areas.

Biography

Hannah Askew is...

WIth Hannah Askew: Does Canada Recognize Indigenous Law?

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“Law is basically a collaborative process—something that groups of people do together. Law is never static, but rather, lives in each new context.”

Dr. Napoleon is from Treaty 8 Territory and is a member of Saulteau First Nation and an adopted member of the Gitksan House of Luxxhon, Frog Clan.

Dr. Napoleon focuses her research in the field of Indigenous legal traditions and governance, among other relevant areas.

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West Coast Environmental Law. “West Coast Environmental Law Logo.” WCEL. Accessed 6 December 2017. https://www.wcel.org/blog/happy-40th-birthday-west-coast-environmental-law.

“Western societies must view Indigenous cultures as legitimate. Colonization obscured not only the religions and languages of Aboriginal peoples but also — and even more so — their legal cultures.”22

– Ghislain Otis, a specialist of Aboriginal law, Constitutional Law and Human rights at University of Ottawa

 

 

Indigenous Legal Traditions 101

Image Citation

Mbq-tmt.org. (2017). Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte - Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory » Community » Culture. [online] Available at: http://www.mbq-tmt.org/community/culture [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

What are Indigenous Legal Traditions?

  • Indigenous legal traditions/sytem are located in the web of connections characterized by their holistic worldview
  • As the primary purpose of the law is to sustain life within the community, the Indigenous legal systems consist of the web of relationships and connections.
  • It is sustained, maintained, and renewed through this network between all life. 
  • Indigenous laws have common law, civil law, and customary law in their midst.23
  • The law uses the comparison of 'stories'. By putting different stories next to one another and learn about different cases, and what was being done.
  • Although Indigenous legal traditions have more collective orientation, we are not to generalize differences among different communities.
  • There is also considerable evidence that the early European settlers recognized the laws of the Indigenous peoples living in Turtle Island.24

The purpose of Indigenous law, according to Dr. John Borrows

Image Citation:

Royal BC Museum and Archives. “Image of Dr. John Borrows.” University of Victoria Faculty of Law. Accessed 6 December 2017. https://www.uvic.ca/law/home/news/current/john-borrows-wins-national-killam-prize.php.

...and Dr. Val Napoleon

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Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage. “Image of Dr. Val Napoleon. Youtube. Accessed 6 December 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcyfAnv1M_k.

Our Contributors: Dr. Val Napoleon

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Ring.uvic.ca. (2017). Convocation: Val Napoleon | The Ring. [online] Available at: http://ring.uvic.ca:8080/news/convocation-val-napoleon [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

 

Dr. Napoleon is from Treaty 8 Territory and is a member of Saulteau First Nation and an adopted member of the Gitksan House of Luxxhon, Frog Clan. Well-published in both academic and creative works, Dr. Napoleon focuses her research in the field of Indigenous legal traditions and governance, among other relevant areas.

Website: https://www.uvic.ca/law/facultystaff/facultydirectory/napoleon.php

 

Introducing Dr. Val Napoleon

Indigenous Law Research Unit Twitter

Our Contributors: Dr. John Borrows

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UVic.ca. (2017). Indigenous research - University of Victoria. [online] Available at: https://www.uvic.ca/research/learnabout/home/strengths/indigenous/index.php [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

 

Dr. Borrows is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation and is a renowned Anishinabek legal scholar, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, and law professor at the University of Victoria. He instructs in the areas of Constitutional Law, Indigenous Law, and Environmental law.

Website: https://www.uvic.ca/law/facultystaff/facultydirectory/borrows.php

Introducing Dr. John Borrows

University of Victoria Law Twitter

Our Contributors: Hannah Askew

Image Citation

Excalibur Publications. (2017). Dean for a Day. [online] Available at: http://excal.on.ca/dean-for-a-day/ [Accessed 7 Dec. 2017].

 

Hannah Askew is a part of West Coast Environmental Law’s Aboriginal and Natural Resources law team. Prior to joining West Coast, Hannah produced legal syntheses on Coast Salish and Annishinabek law for the Indigenous Law Research Unit and the Accessing Justice and Reconciliation Project on “Revitalizing Indigenous Laws.”

Website: https://www.wcel.org/team/staff/hannah-askew

Introducing Hannah Askew

Hannah's Twitter

Why is Indigenous Law Relevant? Dr John Borrows weighs in

Works Cited

1. Borrows, John and Institute on Governance. TANAGA Roundtable Ottawa, Ont.) (6th.Roundtable on Indigenous Legal Traditions: Summary of the 6th IOG Aboriginal Governance Roundtable, Ottawa, February 16, 2005. Ottawa, Ont: Institute on Governance, 2005, 3.

2. Henderson, William B. "Law of Indigenous People." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed December 05, 2017. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people-law/.

3. Henderson, William B.

4. Henderson, William B.

5. Henderson, William B.

6. Henderson, William B.

7. Henderson, William B.

8. Henderson, William B.

9. Borrows, John and Institute on Governance, 3.

10. Henderson, William B.

11. Napoleon, Val and National Centre for First Nations Governance. Thinking about Indigenous Legal Orders. West Vancouver, B.C: National Centre for First Nations Governance, 2007, 1.

12. Napoleon, Val and National Centre for First Nations Governance, 2 - 7.

13. Napoleon, Val and National Centre for First Nations Governance, 3 - 4.

14.Napoleon, Valerie Ruth. "Ayook: Gitksan Legal Order, Law, and Legal Theory."ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2009, 2.

15. Napoleon, Val and Richard Overstall. Indigenous Laws: Some Issues, Considerations and Experiences. Winnipeg, Man.: Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, 2007, 5.

16. Kwaymullina, A., & Kwaymullina, B. (2010). Learning to read the signs: Law in an indigenous reality. Journal of Australian Studies, 34(2), 197.

17. Kwaymullina, A., & Kwaymullina, B. (2010). 200-201.

18. Napoleon, Val and National Centre for First Nations Governance. 2.

19. Kwaymullina, A., & Kwaymullina, B. 205.

20. Kwaymullina, A., & Kwaymullina, B. 205.

21. Kwaymullina, A., & Kwaymullina, B. 205.

22. "Otis, Ghislain." Faculty of Law - Civil Law section. Accessed December 04, 2017. https://droitcivil.uottawa.ca/en/people/otis-ghislain.

23. Borrows, John and Law Commission of Canada. Indigenous Legal Traditions in Canada: Report for the Law Commission of Canada. Ottawa, Ont.: Law Commission of Canada, 2006. 80-91.

24. Borrows, John and Institute on Governance. 5.