Residential School Agreement FAQs

Clear, easily understood answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Residential School Agreement. Click the image to download PDF.

Peter Grant is Representative
Peter Grant of Peter Grant & Associates is the representative for Independent Counsel on the National Administration Committee ("NAC").   The National Residential Schools Survivors Society ("NRSSS") are referring specific problems with respect to elderly or disabled persons to Peter Grant who is forwarding them to the NAC for urgent action.

Peter Grant & Associates are proud to be part of the Independent Counsel Group who has adopted the CBA Guidelines for how to address Residential School Claims.   Those Guidelines are provided in the detailed report on Indian Residential Schools.

CBA Guidelines [PDF]

Courts to Issue Further Notice OTTAWA, ON, March 29 2007 - The settlement has been approved by the Courts and now former student must decide whether to opt out. Read News Release [PDF]

Nine Judges Finalize the Approval of Residential School Settlement. On Thursday, March 8, 2007 an historic event occurred when nine judges from across Canada convened together in Calgary. Read News Release [PDF]

Case Comment/Insight

Should We Take the Government to Court? The advantages, disadvantages & strategies of using litigation when considering whether to take a government to court on decisions potentially affecting aboriginal and treaty rights. Read the Speaking Notes[PDF]

Open Net Cage Aquaculture on Traditional Territory
In Blaney et al v. British Columbia (The Minister of Agriculture Food and Fisheries) et al. , 2005 BCSC 283, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Powers applied the recent SCC decisions in Haida and Taku to rule that the Provincial Crown as represented by the Minister of Agriculture Food and Fisheries, had not met its duty to consult with the Xwémalhkwu First Nation (Homalco Indian Band) in his reasons for judgment handed down on March 2, 2005 Read the Case Comment [PDF]

B.C. Supreme Court Overturns 1985 Indian Act Amendments Regarding Indian Status
We would like to advise our clients of an important decision which could have significant implications for First Nations peoples and communities in Canada. The case was decided by the British Columbia Supreme Court in June, 2007.
Read the Case Comment [PDF]

Vancouver Sun Article

Aboriginal Right to Harvest Wood for Domestic Use
On December 7, 2006 the Supreme Court of Canada released a very important decision for the aboriginal peoples of Canada, recognizing that aboriginal rights include the right to harvest wood from Crown lands for "domestic use". The decision is known as R. v. Sappier and R. v. Gray

Read the Commentary [PDF]

Sacred Sites Under Threat
The sacred sites of indigenous peoples are under increasing threat worldwide as a result of state appropriation of control over ancestral territories, coupled with insatiable demands on lands, waters, and natural resources. Michael Ross, part of the Peter Grant legal team, has recently published a book to examine how the courts have responded.

First Nations Sacred Sites in Canada's Courts is published by UBC Press, and can be ordered here.

Announcements/News

May 2, 2008: First Advance Costs Order Made in Federal Court for 25 year old Aboriginal Case by Hagwilget Village.

Read More and link to case...

Delgamuukw: Ten Years Later
Delgamuukw’s legacy after ten years includes the recognition that courts need to ‘decolonize’ themselves in order to properly accept aboriginal oral history.  The consultation obligation which is founded in  the Delgamuukw decision continues to be a strong incentive to government to recognize and reconcile with aboriginal title.

Read the Paper [PDF]

Inquest Jury Finds Cause of Death as Homicide
Peter Grant and Associates is proud to have represented Corinna Hall in her struggle to obtain an inquest into the death of her daughter, Savanah Brianna Marie Hall, who died in foster care in January 2001.

Read the Story

Verdict and Recommendations

Times Colonist Editorial

Vancouver Sun Article

B.C. Supreme Court Overturns 1985 Indian Act Amendments Regarding Indian Status
We would like to advise our clients of an important decision which could have significant implications for First Nations peoples and communities in Canada. The case was decided by the British Columbia Supreme Court in June, 2007.
Read the Case Comment [PDF]

Vancouver Sun Article

March 16, 2007: Six years after three-year-old Savannah Hall died under mysterious circumstances in her Prince George foster home, an inquest will be held into her death, the B.C. Coroners Service announced.

Read the Vancouver Sun article...