History of the Project

 In 1973, Canada created its first specific claims program. The program is the federal government’s approach to dealing with historical wrongs related to Indigenous lands, assets, and treaties. But this program is built on a conflict of interest: Canada is the decision-maker in claims against itself and the system fails to integrate or even recognize Indigenous laws. Ever since this time, Indigenous Nations have continued to demand reform.

In 2017, during a federal review process, BC Nations said it was time for their Indigenous laws to finally be fully recognized in specific claims processes. Our Laws Arise from the Land is one of the responses by the BC Specific Claims Working Group to this call for change.

In 2018, lawyer Ardith Walpetko We’dalx Walkem (Nlaka’pamux Nation) outlined six principles for how specific claims can better reflect Indigenous laws. Her discussion paper is called A NEW WAY FORWARD.

In 2019, Ardith Walkem and Angie Bain (Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nlaka’pamux Nation, and a researcher at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs) travelled to a number of Indigenous communities in BC to conduct VIDEO INTERVIEWS with experts in their home territories. In these videos, experts explain the impacts of historical losses on their communities. These interviewees also describe how redress for these wrongs can and should be rooted in Indigenous legal traditions.

In 2020, the BC Specific Claims Working Group launched Our Laws Arise from the Land. This is a resource for Indigenous Nations who seek to mobilize their Indigenous laws in trying to address past wrongs.