3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Intersection between Aboriginal and Immigration Law

According to 2017 Report on First Nations border crossing issues, many First Nations feel strongly that the US-Canada border is a colonial construct, and that First Nations communities should have right to cross borders for purpose of trade, cultural activities and subsistence. They look to the Jay Treaty as a symbol of recognition of First Nations mobility rights across US-Canada border, however, this is not recognized in Canada as an inherent right.

Many concerns raised included racial discrimination experienced by First Nations from Canada Border Services Agency, challenges in obtaining and getting recognition of identity documents. We will also discuss what are some potential pathways in which immigration could become a tool for reconciliation and empower First Nations communities, and what are some programs that can help facilitate this?

Speaker(s)

Mark Underhill, Arvay Finlay LLP (Vancouver, BC)
Sharry Aiken, Queen's University Faculty of Law, (Kingston ON)
Deanna L. Okun-Nachoff, McCrea Immigration Law LLP (Vancouver, BC)

Moderator

Jenna Kirk, Bluewave Law (Calgary, AB)