Aboriginal Title and Aboriginal Rights: What\u27s the Connection?

The author presents an analysis and critique of the current law and judicial treatment of legal issues relating to the rights of Aboriginal peoples. His focus is an examination of the connection between Aboriginal rights and Aboriginal title to land. The author analyzes recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions which attempt to clarify the body of law in this area. R. v. Van der Peet, R. v. Adams, and R. v. Core reveal that Aboriginal title is just a subset of Aboriginal rights, and that freestanding Aboriginal rights such as hunting and fishing rights can exist independently of Aboriginal title. The author offers a critique of the Supreme Court of Canada\u27s approach to identification and definition of Aboriginal rights, and contrasts it with the application of general principles relating to occupation of land in the context of a claim to Aboriginal title. His arguments are based in part on authorities from England, Australia and the United States