Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy: describes Aboriginal People of Canada’s rights to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes.
“The AFS applies where DFO manages the fishery and land claims settlements have not already put in place a fisheries management framework. Under the AFS, DFO enters into agreements with Aboriginal groups on fishery access and management. About two-thirds of these agreements are with communities in DFO's Pacific Region, while the balance is in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.”
Aboriginal Title: The Supreme Court of Canada Decision in Delgamuukw v. British Columbia. (1997 legal decision confirming Aboriginal Peoples entitlement to use oral history to prove historical rights and title)
Assembly of First Nations: The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. The AFN represents all citizens regardless of age, gender or place of residence.
Canada’s 1982 Constitution Act, in Section 35 (1), states: “The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.” This decision was pivotal in recognizing and legalizing Aboriginal People in post-confederation Canada’s entitlements to access marine areas and their rights to fish as set out in former treaties.
First Nations Summit
Marshall Decision is a decision that came down from the Supreme Court of Canada in 1999 affirming that Aboriginal People in Canada who signed local treaties in the 19th century retained the right to earn a moderate living by selling their fish catch.
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation’s website lists several other landmark cases relevant to Aboriginal Peoples of BC and Canada that proceeded the 1982 Section 35 (1) amendment to Canada’s Constitution Act.
Native Brotherhood of British Columbia
Protect Planet Ocean Website
Race Rocks (a candidate federal MPA in BC Pacific waters) and BC First Nations Involved
Sparrow Decision was a Supreme Court of Canada decision that came down in 1990 that recognized and affirmed Aboriginal People in Canada’s rights to fish. The decision was followed by DFO and Aboriginal Peoples’ collaboration towards the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy established in 1992.
Union of BC Indian Chiefs
