There is a clear connection between the health of individuals and the legal regime under which they live, particularly Aboriginal peoples. From the early ban on traditional practices to the constitutional division of powers (including who is responsible for off-reserve Indians under the Constitution), this is an historical examination of Canadian legal regimes and the impact they have had on the health of Aboriginal peoples. With an emphasis on the social determinants of health, Boyer outlines how commitments made regarding Aboriginal rights through treaties and Supreme Court of Canada rulings can be used to advance the health of Aboriginal peoples.

Yvonne Boyer's profile page

Yvonne Boyer currently holds the Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Health and Wellness at Brandon University. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and owns Boyer Law Office, where she specializes in providing holistic services that blend mainstream law with Indigenous laws. With a background in nursing, she has more than 15 years of experience practicing law and publishing extensively on the topics of Aboriginal health and how Aboriginal and treaty law intersects on the health of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

Yvonne received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan, Master of Laws and Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ottawa,and in 2012 completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Indigenous People’s Health Research Centre. Yvonne volunteers her time and expertise with several organizations, and most notably she is a mother to four children, with one grandchild, and more on the way.

By including several different First Nations groups, as well as the Métis and Inuit in her analysis, the author adds a richness to the discussion and refrains from oversimplifying distinct histories and traditions.

Saskatchewan Law Review, Vol.78, No.2