Aboriginal Land Rights – Racking up Court Win after Win

EDMONTON – Bill Gallagher was a plenary speaker at the AIA 2016 Conference, Apr. 20. His message: Politicians everywhere are prioritizing their new and improved understanding with First Nations. The common denominator right across the country is the rise of native empowerment. It’s a major business story that remarkably remains massively under-reported (from the native empowerment point of view) in Alberta.

There are a growing number of legal wins, over 200 wins so far. In the resources sector, Aboriginal groups are winning 90% of the legal cases they fight in court.

Land Rights are Taking the Legal High Ground

“Land rights are topping property rights, and this is the whole game, and it is set in the treaties”, states Gallagher.

“You can predict what the next ‘train wreck’ will be,” stated Gallagher. The term, “First Nations were not consulted” is not being fully reported, and it is making legal history.

Bill Gallagher is an experienced strategist in the dynamic area of native, government, and corporate relations and is an authority on the rise of native empowerment in the Canadian resources sector. He just completed his book, “Resource Rulers; Fortune and Folly on Canada’s Road to Resources” wherein he analyzes how and why natives have amassed the most significant winning streak in Canadian legal history.

Treaty Federalism – rights earned that are protected under the constitution, rights that are in addition to the rights that the rest of Canadians have, are the key points that Gallagher says people must realize.

Gallagher says that the smart move for many groups is to align with the First Nations in setting the environmental agenda.