Let Right Be Done: Aboriginal Title, the Calder Case, and the Future of Indigenous Rights(Law and Society)

In the early 1970s, many questioned whether Aboriginal title existed in Canada and rejected the notion that Aboriginal peoples should have rights different from those of other citizens. But in 1973 the Supreme Court of Canada issued a landmark decision in the Calder case, confirming that Aboriginal title constituted a right within Canadian law. Let Right Be Done examines the doctrine of Aboriginal title thirty years later and puts the Calder case in its legal, historical, and political context, both nationally and internationally. With its innovative blend of scholarly analysis and input from many of those intimately involved in the case, this book should be essential reading for anyone interested in Aboriginal law, treaty negotiations, and the history of the "BC Indian land question."

Table of Contents:
1 The Calder Decision, Aboriginal Title, Treaties, and the Nisga'a / Christina Godlewska and Jeremy Webber Part 1: Reflections of the Calder Participants 2 Frank Calder and Thomas Berger: A Conversation 3 Reminiscences of Aboriginal Rights at the Time of the Calder Case and Its Aftermath / Honourable Gérard V. La Forest Part 2: Historical Background 4 We Are Not O'Meara's Children: Law, Lawyers, and the First Campaign for Aboriginal Title in British Columbia, 1908–28 / Hamar Foster 5 Then Fight For It: William Lewis Paul and Alaska Native Land Claims / Stephen Haycox Part 3: Calder and Its Implications 6 Calder and the Representation of Indigenous Society in Canadian Jurisprudence / Michael Asch 7 A Taxonomy of Aboriginal Rights / Brian Slattery 8 Judicial Approaches to Self-Government since Calder: Searching for Doctrinal Coherence / Kent McNeil Part 4: International Impact 9 Customary Rights and Crown Claims: Calder and Aboriginal Title in Aotearoa New Zealand / David V. Williams 10 The Influence of Canadian and International Law on the Evolution of Australian Aboriginal Title / Garth Nettheim Part 5: The Future 11 Let Obligations Be Done / John Borrows 12 Closing Thoughts: Final Remarks from Iona Campagnolo, Lance Finch, Joseph Gosnell, and Frank Calder Appendices Notes; Bibliography; Index

About the Author :
Hamar Foster is Professor of Law at the University of Victoria. Heather Raven is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Victoria. Jeremy Webber holds the Canada Research Chair in Law and Society at the University of Victoria and is a Trudeau Fellow. Contributors: Michael Asch, John Borrows, Hamar Foster, Christina Godlewska, Stephen Haycox, Honourable Gérard V. La Forest, Kent McNeil, Garth Nettheim, Brian Slattery, Jeremy Webber, David V. Williams

Review :
"Let Right Be Done is an invaluable collection of insightful essays on a crucial legal case that profoundly affected, and continues to influence, Canadian law. - J.R. (Jim) Miller, author, Reflections on Native-Newcomer Relations: Selected Essays. This important book reminds us of the courage and determination of the Nisga'a people. The late Frank Calder held an unwavering belief in justice and, with his accomplished counsel, Thomas Berger, Q.C., broke the trail for indigenous legal claims in Canada. Let Right Be Done is of acute interest to all who want to understand the contemporary recognition of Aboriginal title, specialist and general reader alike. - Honourable Judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth of British Columbia"