The federal government is earmarking funds for projects that aim to build on Ottawa's commitment to help revitalize Indigenous legal traditions. 50, which demands the federal government work with Indigenous organizations to fund the establishment of Indigenous law institutes. Canada's legal tapestry weaves together English common law, French civil law and, to a very limited extent, Indigenous law — despite past attempts to unravel it from the fabric. But full-fledged reinvigoration of Indigenous legal systems has never been more "urgent," said Jula Hughes, dean of the Lakehead law faculty. "While Indigenous laws have been observed as customs and traditions in Indigenous communities, Canadian legal institutions have long either ignored or overridden these orders and have at times criminalized Indigenous leaders for applying Indigenous laws," she said.

Source: CBC News July 21, 2021 17:23 UTC