First Nations Sacred Sites in Canada’s Courts

The sacred sites of indigenous peoples are under increasing threat worldwide as a result of state appropriation of control over ancestral territories, coupled with insatiable demands on lands, waters, and natural resources. Of late, First Nations in Canada have taken their fight for these sites to the courts. Informed by elements of a general theory of sacred sites and supported by a thorough analysis of nearly a dozen cases, this book demonstrates not merely that the courts have failed to treat First Nations sacred sites fairly but also why they have failed to do so and suggests practical ways in which courts can improve their handling of the issues.