Lawyer Warns Human Rights Changes Not All Positive

Lawyer Warns Human Rights Changes Not All Positive

Thursday, July 07, 2011 at 13:24

 

 

An international Indigenous lawyer is warning of serious consequences for First Nations people after changes to the human rights act that were touted as positive.

 

Earlier this year, the federal government repealed Section 67 so that First Nations people can now make human rights complaints.

 

Sharon Venne, speaking at the legislative assembly in Onion Lake, says this individualizes rights and as a result, takes away collective or treaty rights.

 

In some cases, she says that will put responsibility on provinces rather than the federal government when it comes to First Nations people.

 

Venne says provinces can’t be involved in treaties unless First Nations give them that authority and warns First Nations have to be very careful to not let that happen.

 

She says there is protection against this happening.

 

She says if you have traditional or customary law in place, this legislation will not attach.

 

Venne says First Nations already have their own legal system and customary laws even if they aren’t written down.

 

Venne says traditional laws can be invoked as long as First Nations are clear what they are.