DGW Law Corporation
201, 736 Broughton Street V8W 1E1 Victoria, BC, Canada

DGW Law's John Gailus responds to John Horgan's latest announcement about continuing with building the #SiteC Dam. Read John's response and see the factum that he filed on behalf of his clients when they took B.C. to court over the Dam: https://www.dgwlaw.ca/publications/

It was announced on Friday that The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) returned SISENEM (Halibut Island), a 9.67-acre island near Sydney Island, to the WSÁNE people in an act of reconciliation. TLC believes this is the first time a land trust in Canada has voluntarily transferred title to an Indigenous community. Of this historic act, Chief Don Tom, chair of the WSÁNE Leadership Council says, I hope this marks for things to come and this also tells me we don’t have to wait for government to wait for reconciliation and Cathy Armstrong, TLC Executive Director, says, It’s culturally significant, it’s also ecologically significant, so it will be a place for research and for the WSÁNE to go to social events, cultural events. Read more here: https://www.cheknews.ca/sis%c8%bcenem-halibut-island-islan/

"In January 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found Canada discriminates against First Nations children and families living on reserve and in the Yukon with respect to the provision of child and family services. Canada was ordered to cease its discriminatory practices and to implement the full meaning and scope of Jordan’s Principle." A report released by the Parliamentary Budget Office yesterday estimates that the financial cost of complying with the Tribunal’s decisi...on could amount to $15 billion. Read more about the Tribunal's decision, Jordan's Principle, how many people may be affected by the decision and why Canada may owe this amount here: https://www.dgwlaw.ca/publications/

Be kind Lift others up Not just today - everyday - because kindness begets kindness! What are some ways you like to show kindness? . . Special shout out to Chantelle T-Matties, the artist responsible for the 'Dance of the Otters' artwork on many of our pink shirts. Loved seeing all the pink shirts at today's team meeting, DGW Law Corporation! ... #pinkshirtday #bekind See more

Congratulations Halfway River First Nation on the new Conservancy! DGW Law Corporation Director, Tim Watson, negotiated this agreement with the province, a first of it's kind in NE BC. It is...where we hunt, trap, gather berries and teach our children... The protection of this area will ensure that we can continue these activities...for generations to come." Chief Darlene Hunter Read more about the Tsaa Nuna Conservancy here: https://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca//tsaa-nuna-conservancy-es

From all of us at DGW, best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday. Cheers! Note: Our office will be closed for the holidays until Monday Jan 4th, 2021.

Today's #DGWSpotlight is on Indigenous podcasts! Have you checked out these podcasts compiled by IndigiNews? From Warrior Life, hosted by Dr. Pam Palmater, a podcast meant to educate and connect; to Our Native Land made right here on Lkn territory, in Victoria, B.C., with a goal to entertain the listener while covering Indigenous issues. Which Indigenous podcast is your favourite? We'd love to hear about it! https://indiginews.com//top-ten-indigenous-podcasts-to-fol #SupportIndigenous

#TBT to our DGW virtual holiday party earlier this month! Here's wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season. Our office will be closed from December 25 to January 4. See you in the New Year!

Luxury meets function meets family tradition in these unique hand warmers and foot warmers from Aurora Heat ! Brenda Dragon, President and Founder of this Indigenous-owned, primarily women employed company based in the Northwest Territories, says: I am committed to Nature and care deeply for the Land. I love designing and creating sustainable, new-to-market products. In our workshop at the end of each day, there is no garbage in our bin. We purposely strive to use all parts o...f the pelt in deep respect and gratitude to the Land and to the beaver (tsa). It is this world view that has formed our company's vision, "Live in harmony with the natural world." Head/body, hand, wrist, feet and ankle warmers come in adult and kids sizes. These make an ideal gift for kids and anyone who gets cold easily and for yourself! You can order the handmade products from their website (https://auroraheat.ca/) or look for them at Hudson’s Bay. These would be a great holiday gift!

It was an early start here at DGW Law Corporation this morning. Christopher Devlin is appearing (via video) at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, intervening on behalf of Tseshaht First Nation in a case that contemplates equitable compensation for breach of fiduciary duty (in this case flooding of reserve land as a result of building a dam). You can watch the hearing live here https://www.scc-csc.ca//webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.as

The #GoodNews continues this week! The Bank of Canada has announced its shortlist of eight individuals (out of an initial 600 candidates) for the face on our new $5 bill. The final decision will be made in early 2021. The shortlisted names include four Indigenous individuals, three women and the familiar Terry Fox. Read more about one of the candidates, Isapo-muxika who was a Siksika chief here:... https://www.cbc.ca//chief-crowfoot-five-dollar-bill-1.5796 And find the shortlist to all eight final candidates here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/new-banknote-1.5795421 #IndigenousStrong

Today's #DGWSpotlight is on superstar associate counsel, Tanner Doerges! Tanner joined DGW Law Corporation after practicing in the litigation department of a large Vancouver firm. Today his practice includes litigation and negotiations with government, as well as advising on and assisting with economic development and governance matters. This week Tanner is part of the DGW legal team representing Kwakiutl First Nation before the Specific Claims Tribunal. To learn more about ...Tanner, his experience and his practice, or to get in touch, visit https://www.dgwlaw.ca/tanner-doerges/ #GOTEAM

Did you know? First Nations in B.C. can apply for funding from New Relationship Trust, a non-profit organization that operates independently of government, dedicated to building strong, healthy, prosperous, independent First Nations. Read more about the New Relationship Trust here: https://www.dgwlaw.ca/dgw-law-corporation-news-bulletin-ne/ Deadlines are approaching for Direct Support Funding, Equity Matching, and National Governance Funding, while some funding areas, includ...ing Tribal Council Policy Funding, are open until funds are exhausted. Contact us to find out how DGW Law Corporation can assist your First Nation to apply for funding and then implement community projects with that funding. #Funding #fundingopportunities #Indegenous

More good news today, this time from the East Coast. After a summer of conflict and extreme challenges, it was announced Monday that the Mi’kmaq First Nations group is part of a joint venture that gives the community 50% ownership of Clearwater Seafoods in a $1 billion deal. Mi’kmaq communities will also own all of the target company’s fishing licences giving them unprecedented control in Canada’s East Coast fishery industry. This represents a historic opportunity for the ...Mi’kmaq to strengthen our role in Canada’s commercial fisheries, including playing a much larger part in its unique deep-water fisheries, Membertou First Nation Chief Terry Paul said. Read more about the joint venture with Vancouver-based Premium Brands Holdings, the historic deal and the benefits to the First Nations here: https://financialpost.com//clearwater-seafoods-sold-in-1-b #Mikmaq #Indigenous #GoodNews #Indigenomics

Friend of DGW Law, Tsawout First Nation had reason to celebrate today as they began building a new longhouse. Tsawout's longhouse was lost in a fire in 2009. The long wait has had an effect on Tsawout members: "Something has been missing in our community and, lots of times without a longhouse, we almost had that feeling of homelessness, spiritually," said Chief Claxton.... Read more about the new building here: https://www.cbc.ca//tsawout-longhouse-construction-1.57908 #Tsawout #IndigenousStrong

Put aside the fact that the estimated cost of this White Elephant has nearly doubled since the BC Liberals approved it as the least costly option, the project has massive environmental costs, infringes Treaty 8 rights to hunt and fish and will be the death knell for First Nations independent power projects. Read more about Site C and the difficult decisions the winner of this week's B.C. election will have to make here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-the-unnecessary-/

Today’s #DGWSpotlight is on the Skwxwú7mesh Lilwat7úl Cultural Centre (Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre) in beautiful Whistler, BC. This world-class cultural centre offers hourly tours that immerse visitors in the rich culture, history and ancient traditions of the Skwxwú7mesh and Lilwat7úl. Learn more here https://slcc.ca/... #SupportIndigenous #SupportingOurCommunity

As #SecretPath Week continues, today’s #DGWSpotlight is on conscious education as a form of #reconciliACTION. In the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, part of call 62 is for the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions ...to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students. To that end, the Downie Wenjack Fund has created a Legacy Schools Program, a free national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action. Schools across Canada qualify to sign up and receive a Legacy Schools Toolkit with booster packs created each year. Register your school by filling out the registration form here https://downie.bigdigital.ca/our-w/legacy-schools-programs/ and bring reconciliation into the classroom for our next generation to learn, discuss and integrate. #DoSomething #education #reconciliation #DownieWenjack #supportIndigenous

Inspired by Chanie Wenjack’s story and Gord Downie’s call to #DoSomething to create #reconciliACTION, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund created Secret Path Week, observed each year from October 17 to October 22, marking the day that Gord Downie passed away (Oct 17, 2017) and the day that Chanie Wenjack passed away after leaving the residential school he was put in to walk home (October 22, 1966). This year's Secret Path Week start tomorrow, October 17, with a virtual re-b...roadcast of the 2019 Benefit Concert. Get your tickets by donation here: https://downiewenjack.ca//register-for-the-return-to-secr/ #SecretPath #DownieWenjack

Today’s #DGWSpotlight is on Metis singer-songwriter Celeigh Cardinal, the winner of the 2020 Juno award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year for her second record Stories from a Downtown Apartment! The titular downtown apartment is in Edmonton where Celeigh lives. She has been recording and releasing music since 2017 and credits an Indigenous music residency through Manitoba Music with taking her song writing to the next level. Besides being a musician, Celeigh is also th...e first Indigenous radio personality on Alberta’s CKUA Radio Network and the first Indigenous member of CBC Edmonton Radio Arts Column, the In Crowd. As her website says, Celeigh strives to use the space she takes to lift up other Indigenous artists and to be/have the representation she desired as a young girl, and the representation she desires for all Indigenous peoples. Today is the debut of Celeigh’s new video for Song by the Supermoon. Watch it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch) at 2:00 pm PT. Learn more about Celeigh Cardinal or order her music from her website: https://www.celeighcardinal.com/home #SupportingOurCommunity #SupportIndigenous #supportindigenousartists

Thank you to all those who participated in our book contest! And the winner is........ Colby Lizotte! Congratulations Colby, check your dms for instructions on claiming your prize package. We hope these books will enlighten you and motivate you to share their stories with your family and friends. .... If you didn't win, keep an eye on our page for more contests promoting local Indigenous people and businesses! In the meantime, you can purchase "A Mind Spread Out On The Ground", and "Up Ghost River" at your nearest bookstore and online (in various formats like Kindle and audio books). #DGWSpotlight #supportingourcommunity #supportindigenous See more

Wow! DGW Law has surpassed 500 followers! WELCOME to all our new followers and THANK YOU to those who have been following all along. Keep an eye on our page for contests throughout the year! ... Discover Indigenous businesses and artists you may not have known about by following our #DGWSpotlight campaign. And of course, keep current with our regular content on things like legislative changes and important court decisions in Aboriginal law. Click the link to learn more about our team and what we do https://www.dgwlaw.ca #ThankYou #GoTeam #AboriginalLaw

Appearing at the Supreme Court of Canada in the time of social distancing and Covid-19 : John Gailus presents on behalf of an intervenor in R. v. Desautel today at the Supreme Court of Canada. Three photos of John’s morning: Photo 1 An 8:30 am check-in in Ottawa means 5:30 am in BC. So. Much. Coffee... Photo 2 Behind the scenes preparations for Zoom Photo 3 Live stream on-air submissions

Congratulations to DGW Law! Once again, DGW Law Corporation has been recognized by Chambers and Partners as a top firm in Canada practicing in the area of Aboriginal law! And Christopher Devlin is recognized as a Notable Practitioner! Read what Chambers has to say about us here: https://chambers.com//dgw-law-corporation-aboriginal-law-r... #GoTeam #Congratulations

Appearing at the Supreme Court of Canada in the time of social distancing and Covid-19 measures looks a little different from a typical year. DGW Law’s John Gailus is ‘attending’ court via Zoom tomorrow to present on the R. v. Richard Lee Desautel case. At issue in this case is whether Indigenous peoples residing in the United States of America are capable of holding constitutionally-protected Aboriginal rights in Canada. Live feed of the hearing can be watched starting Thurs...day at 9:30 am EDT / 6:30 am PDT here: https://www.scc-csc.ca/home-accueil/index-eng.aspx Below is a photo of a previous year's appearance in Ottawa. #GoTeam #AboriginalRights

***CONTEST TIME!*** In keeping with our #DGWSpotlight initiative to create space for and highlight local Indigenous talent on our feed, we are giving away a prize package containing 2 books from local Indigenous authors @AliciaElliott and Edmund Metatawabin, along with a DGW mug to enjoy some tea while you curl up with these important books on oppression and perseverance. To enter the contest:... 1. Like @DGW.Law on Facebook 2. Tag a friend who would love to read these books! Books: A Mind Spread Out On The Ground by Alicia Elliott is an unapologetic look at trauma, oppression, and racism in North America, including her own experience with intergenerational trauma. Up Ghost River by Edmund Metatawabin is a powerful memoir detailing the abuse endured in residential school and the determination and resilience to overcome trauma. The fine print: Contest closes at 11:59pm(PT) on Monday October 12, 2020. The winner will be drawn randomly from the valid entries received, and will be contacted on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. The prize package (2 books and mug) will be mailed to the winner via Canada Post. #DGWSpotlight #SupportingOurCommunity #SupportIndigenous

Today's #DGWSpotlight is on books! October is here and the colder weather and shorter days are inviting us to cozy up with a good book. Have you read a book by an Indigenous author lately? With so many talented Indigenous writers in Canada, it has never been easier or more satisfying to curl up with a good book steeped in Indigenous experience and story telling. If you are looking for suggestions for the next Indigenous author to check out, CBC put together a list based on re...aders' tweeted recommendations: https://www.cbc.ca//108-indigenous-writers-to-read-as-reco And if you want to focus on Women Indigenous writers in Canada, look at this list of 14 women that includes Cherie Dimaline and Janet Rogers: https://roommagazine.com//14-aboriginal-women-writers-read ***Contest Alert*** Check out our page on Monday, October 5, when we will be having a contest related to some of these amazing authors! #Books #indegenous

Today is Orange Shirt Day. Started in Williams Lake, BC, in 2013, September 30 is a day for Canadians to wear an orange shirt to honour and recognize the experiences of Indigenous peoples and the effects caused by the residential school system in Canada. September was the time when children were taken from their families and put in residential schools and today is dedicated to educating and raising awareness to the treatment of Indigenous families. You can learn more about Or...ange Shirt Day here: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/ And you can attend a virtual event organized by UVic here: https://www.uvic.ca/orangeshirtday The folks at DGW Law are wearing their orange shirt, whether working at the office or from home! #OrangeShirtDay #everychildmatters

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to DGW's new legal assistant extraordinaire, Melissa Molvik! Melissa brings a wealth of legal experience to the team and we are fortunate to have her on board. Welcome, Melissa!

What happens when Crown commitments in a modern-day treaty agreement collide with credible assertions of Aboriginal rights and title made by a neighbouring First Nation? This is the question the BC Court of Appeal was asked to hear in Gamlaxyeltxw v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations), 2020 BCCA 215. Read more about the decision here: https://www.dgwlaw.ca/publications/

Please join us in welcoming the newest (yet not so new) member of the DGW Law Corporation team, articled student Lorenzo Rose! Lorenzo previously joined us as a summer law student, and we're thrilled to have him return for his articles. Welcome back, Lorenzo! #GOTEAM