Indigenous Land Rights – Chiefs of Ontario & OKT LLP Newsletter Issue 2

Chiefs of Ontario, in conjunction with the law firm Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT), will be working to produce a monthly newsletter on various legal and/or policy topics that are likely to impact First Nations in Ontario. This second issue, “Indigenous Land Rights” begins with the topic of Ontario’s relationship with First Nations in this region and some good advice to the Premier by former Premier Bob Rae, who is a partner at OKT LLP. An important election is coming up on June 7th and ORC Day’s article on Land, People and Prosperity highlight some important matters and insights on treaty relationships. Sara Mainville’s article on the Treaty Commission in Ontario to be reconsidered gives strong advice that our jurisdiction also must be part of the new TCO if one is to be properly (and jointly) implemented. Finally, as we consider 2019’s promised “Rights Recognition” Legislation, Kate Kempton suggests that First Nations in Ontario take the important direction of creating their own model legislation to pre-empt the work that Canada is doing and ensure that the legal framework is consistent with our jurisdiction and our treaties.