Difference between revisions of "Aboriginal Law"

Jump to navigation Jump to search
456 bytes added ,  21:16, 24 February 2015
no edit summary
Line 32: Line 32:


==How does family law apply to Aboriginal people?==
==How does family law apply to Aboriginal people?==
Two BC laws – the ''[http://bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11025_00 Family Law Act]'' and the ''[http://bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96046_01 Child, Family and Community Service Act]''—apply to Aboriginal families, including Indian families on and off reserve. But there are some important exceptions.
Two BC laws – the ''[http://bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11025_00 Family Law Act]'' and the ''[http://bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96046_01 Child, Family and Community Service Act]''—apply to Aboriginal families on and off reserve. But there are some important exceptions.


The ''Family Law Act'' deals with parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and division of matrimonial property after family breakdown. But the parts of this law dealing with matrimonial property do not apply on reserve lands.
The ''Family Law Act'' deals with parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and division of matrimonial property after family breakdown. But the parts of this law dealing with real property do not apply on reserves. So there is a gap in the law dealing with the ownership, division, and possession of real property on reserves and what happens when a spousal relationship ends or a spouse dies.


However, on December 16, 2013, the first part of a law called ''[http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/411/Government/S-2/S-2_4/S-2_4.PDF Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act]'' took effect. Under it, First Nation communities can make their own matrimonial real property laws. Other parts of the law take effect on December 16, 2014. If communities haven’t made their own laws by then, federal provisional rules will apply, until communities do so. [https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032553/1100100032557 Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada] has more on this. So does the [http://www.coemrp.ca/ Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property] (hosted by the [http://www.nalma.ca/ National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association]).
The federal ''Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act'' responds to this gap in two ways. First, as of December 16, 2013, it allowed individual First Nations to make their own matrimonial real property laws. A list of First Nations that have done this is available on the website of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
 
Second, as of December 16, 2014, the federal law has provisional (or temporary) rules that apply until First Nations make their own laws. The provisional rules allow for three types of orders: emergency protection orders; exclusive occupation orders; and orders on the division, ownership, and transfer of the interests or rights in real property under sections 29 to 33 of the federal law. If you live on reserve, and you need an order—especially an emergency order to protect yourself, your property, or your family—get legal advice.
 
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has more on this topic. So does the Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property (hosted by the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association).


Also, other rules may apply if an Indian band or First Nation has signed a modern treaty or has a matrimonial property regime under the ''First Nations Land Management Act''.
Also, other rules may apply if an Indian band or First Nation has signed a modern treaty or has a matrimonial property regime under the ''First Nations Land Management Act''.
3,009

edits

Navigation menu