Blog

LUO Conference, panel on Indigenous peoples and extractive industries

This weekend I’ll be speaking about Indigenous Peoples and Extractive Industries at the Law Union Conference. All are welcome, tickets are affordable and child care will be provided.

[Link to the poster]

The Toronto Star Reports on the Wahgoshig First Nation Injunction Victory

In December, lawyers from OKT represented Wahgoshig First Nation on a motion for an interim injunction. On January 3, 2012, Madam Justice Carole J. Brown released her decision granting interim injunctive relief to Wahgoshig First Nation against a junior mining exploration company, Solid Gold Resources Corp. The media has recently picked up on this story.

Wahgoshig First Nation Wins Injunction against Solid Gold Mineral Exploration

In a decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, released January 3, 2012, Madam Justice Brown ordered that Solid Gold is enjoined from carrying on any further exploratory activity on its claims block for 120 days, and that during this period Ontario, Solid Gold and Wahgoshig must enter into a process of meaningful consultation

Taking a Second Look at those Attawapiskat Numbers

Should Toronto be put under third party management? That community has been running a deficit for years, and the combined total of all government spending (federal, provincial and municipal) is $24,000 a year for each Torontonian. Attawapiskat, on the other hand, which is only funded by one level of government — federal – received $17.6

A Thoughtful Piece About Attawapiskat

This article is making the rounds at our firm (and many other places). We love it — it’s sensible, thoughtful and well-researched. Worth your time.

Labrador Innu Sign Historic Land Claim, Self-Government and Hydro Agreement

OKT congratulates the Labrador Innu on the signing on November 18, 2011 of the historic package of agreements that comprise a package referred to as the Tshash Petapen (or “New Dawn”) Agreement.  John Olthuis, a partner at OKT who was also present at the signing of the historic agreement, noted, “I am deeply honoured to

Matawa First Nations File Judicial Review

First Nation leaders from Northern Ontario gathered in Ottawa yesterday to announce legal action against Canada in connection with the Ring of Fire. Matawa First Nations – a group of nine First Nation communities in Northern Ontario - filed a Judicial Review regarding the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) failure to implement a Joint Review Panel Environmental

Trouble in the Ring of Fire

Several First Nations have taken a strong stand against unfettered development in Ontario’s Ring of Fire. At a press conference last week, Chief Roger Wesley from Constance Lake First Nation made it clear they will not be pushed aside. “We will be forced to resort to alternative measures if Canada and Ontario continue to ignore

OKT Welcomes Two New Associates

OKT LLP is very excited to have two new associates join our firm. Andrea Bradley obtained her J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School and recently completed her LL.M. at Cambridge. She gained experience in Aboriginal rights law through her participation in the Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot and by working as a research assistant in Aboriginal

OKT Congratulates Osgoode for Combining Academic and Practical Legal Education in Aboriginal Law

This year, Osgoode Hall Law School marks the 40th anniversary of its clinical legal education programs, including its partnerships to establish the first community legal clinics in Ontario. Olthuis Kleer Townshend congratulates Osgoode on the success of the clinical education programs, including the Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Government. OKT has benefitted from