Public concern over issues in service provision on-reserve, when compared to services provided to neighbouring non-reserve communities, has increased in recent times, especially after the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision in the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society case. Litigation is a common route for First Nations to address these inequities there are many cases before the courts related to the equality of service delivery, including on-reserve policing, fire, special education, and electricity services.
 

A different approach is to negotiate for greater First Nation control of the delivery of those services. The recent collaboration between Canada and the Anishinabek First Nations in drafting the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement (ANEA), which moves toward a self-governing education agreement that will support and promote Anishinaabe student success and well-being, has highlighted negotiation as an alternative and an effective way of improving on-reserve services.
 

Join us to gain a comparative review of these alternatives by hearing directly from counsel who negotiated the AENA, and from counsel whose clients are bringing these cases concerning on-reserve service delivery. You will also get up to date with a review of recent important cases that could have an impact on your work.