Best Practices Case Study (Rule of Law): Nisga’a Nation

Nisga’a Nation, comprised of four communities; New Aiyansh, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalt’sap, and Gingolx, is located in north western B.C. In the 1890s, Nisga’a hereditary chiefs and matriarchs formed the Nisga’a Land Committee and began to aggressively pursue self-government and title to their lands.

In 1973, the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Calder case held that the Nisga’a’s historic occupation on their lands gave rise to the legal rights to their territories...