Space for a Plurality of Indigenous Legal Traditions

Each Indigenous Nation has its own laws and legal systems, and a revised specific claims process must be flexible enough to reflect what is important or each Nation or community. Space must be made to incorporate various Indigenous legal traditions within specific claims policies and processes, and a robust legal pluralism will be required.

“These are the stories they told us”

John Haugen, Nlaka’pamux Nation, ShchEma-mee.tkt Project, discusses how he began the community engagement process to articulate Nlaka’pamux laws, highlighting the need to share stories. He explains how communities’ stories are related to what actually happened on the land and “the things that really connect us to that place.”

“The beautiful plurality of Indigenous laws”

In this video, Ardith (Walpetko We'dalx) Walkem discusses the connection of Indigenous laws to the land itself; Indigenous laws in different territories reflect the different character of the land. Ardith highlights the importance of creating space in any mechanism to resolve disputes for this plurality of legal traditions to be expressed.

“The proper ways we have in being with in relationship with one another”

Ardith (Walpetko We'dalx) Walkem discusses how existing treaties and mechanisms for resolving disputes among Indigenous people can be brought to bear in how we resolve disputes with Canada. She highlights the importance of creating space in any mechanism to resolve disputes for this plurality of legal traditions to be expressed.