Category Archives: Justice

Indigenous Nations, Justice

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation criticizes Alberta government’s approach to border blockade

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – On February 2, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief and Council released a statement regarding the current U.S-Canadian border blockade in Coutts, Alberta.

“Over the past several days we have watched in dismay as the border blockade at Coutts, Alberta is allowed to continue without intervention from authorities,” said the statement. “The Critical Infrastructure Defense Act (CIDA), which was passed in 2020, was created in response to Indigenous railway blockades protesting pipeline developments on Indigenous territories.”

“This law was used to end Indigenous blockades — so the question that must be asked is why the blockade at Coutts is allowed to continue?”

Continue reading Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation criticizes Alberta government’s approach to border blockade →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

Volunteer Terrace executive shares her experience with the restorative justice system

Terrace Standard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tracey Davidson never thought that her love for volunteering activities would one day see her leading a volunteering organization.

When she moved to Terrace from North Vancouver in 2011, she joined Volunteer Terrace (VT) as a volunteer community engagement coordinator.

She found herself enjoying volunteer work more and more, and it even helped her through the grieving process when her husband passed away.

Eventually she took up a paid position with the organization and was soon offered the role of interim executive director.

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Forests, Justice

Teal Jones wins court appeal to extend injunction against Fairy Creek old-growth blockade

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Fairy Creek activists have been dealt a blow after a court decision Wednesday upheld a logging company’s bid for an ongoing order to halt contentious old-growth blockades on southern Vancouver Island. 

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Justice

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: Why the RCMP must be accountable

It has been a week since the Federal Court of Canada condemned RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki for her failure to respond to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). The case revolved around an interim report from 2017, but in her Judgement and Reasons Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagné pointed to numerous other cases where the RCMP had acted in the same manner. 

“It is in the public interest to have a police oversight institution that functions properly and is unobstructed.” she wrote.

One of the organizations applauding the Court’s Decision to hold the police accountable is the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

Continue reading Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: Why the RCMP must be accountable →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

First Nation leaders say BC implementation of UNDRIP is too slow

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – It has been two years since British Columbia passed legislation requiring the government to align the entirety of its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). However, despite the legislation, the change seen is extremely limited.

The mandate requires a huge undertaking that involves updating over 5,000 provincial laws. Two major changes announced by the province are: an amendment of the Interpretation Act and an amendment to the B.C Human Rights Code.

Continue reading First Nation leaders say BC implementation of UNDRIP is too slow →