indigenous law resources

known as ""canada's forgotten people,"" the métis have long been here, but until 1982 they lacked the legal status of native people. at that point, however, the métis were recognized in the constitution as one of canada's aboriginal peoples. a significant addition to métis historiography, the long journey of a forgotten people includes métis voices and personal narratives that address the thorny and complicated issue of métis identity from historical and contemporary perspectives.

these twelve essays constitute a groundbreaking volume of new work prepared by leading scholars in the fields of history, anthropology, constitutional law, political science, and sociology, who identify the many facets of what it means to be métis in canada today. after the powley decision in 2003, métis peoples were no longer conceptually limited to the historical boundaries of the fur trade in canada. key ideas explored in this collection include identity, rights, and issues of governance, politics, and economics.

chapter 1: aboriginal peoples and the law -- chapter 2: aspects of aboriginal rights in international law -- chapter 3: aboriginal title -- chapter 4: pre-confederation treaties -- chapter 5: post-confederation treaties -- chapter 6: constitutional issues in native law -- chapter 7: the application of provincial laws -- chapter 8: reserve lands -- chapter 9: taxation -- chapter 10: the resolution of land claims -- chapter 11: the implementation of the james bay and northern quebec agreement -- chapter 12: canada's north and native rights -- chapter 13: aboriginal rights in international law: human rights.

did louis riel have a fair trial? the trial and conviction of louis riel for treason in the summer of 1885 and his execution on november 16, 1885, have been the subjects of historical comment and criticism for over one hundred years. a rush to judgment challenges the view held by some historians that riel received a fair trial.

first published in 1999 under the title: métis law summary.