The relationship between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government is one that has increasingly come to the fore. Numerous tragic incidents and a legacy of historical negligence combined with more vehement calls for action is forcing a reconsideration of the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous nations.

In The Right Relationship, John Borrows and Michael Coyle bring together a group of renowned scholars, both indigenous and non-indigenous, to cast light on the magnitude of the challenges Canadians face in seeking a consensus on the nature of treaty partnership in the twenty-first century. The diverse perspectives offered in this volume examine how Indigenous people’s own legal and policy frameworks can be used to develop healthier attitudes between First Peoples and settler governments in Canada. While considering the existing law of Aboriginal and treaty rights, the contributors imagine what these relationships might look like if those involved pursued our highest aspirations as Canadians and Indigenous peoples. This timely and authoritative volume provides answers that will help pave the way toward good governance for all.

John Borrows is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria and is the winner of both the Canadian Political Science Association’s Donald Smiley Prize (for Recovering Canada) and the Canadian Law and Society Association Book Prize (for Canada’s Indigenous Constitution)..

John Borrows' profile page

Michael Coyle is an internationally renowned expert in aboriginal law and dispute resolution scholarship. A Western University Law faculty Associate Professor and mediator, he has authored numerous works exploring Indigenous peoples’ legal issues, including First Nations’ land claims and treaty interpretation. He lives in London, Ontario.

Michael Coyle's profile page

"Borrows and Coyle have gathered together a group of voices that represent precisely the kind of well-informed, tough minded optimism needed to underpin effective activism and advocacy."

Transmotion, vol 4 no 2, 2018

"The compelling case studies that run through the collection offer insights for the lay reader about how treaties contribute to law and humanities scholarship."

Canadian Literature 236 '18

‘The constructive, forward-thinking approaches presented in this book make it a useful read for all Canadians…. The book is also valuable for Americans interested in bringing similar conversation to the forefront…This volume is an important contribution to Indigenous-settler relations.’

Great Plains Research vol 28:01:2018

‘This book presents an innovative argument on understanding and implementing treaties… Contributors are innovative in the way they conceive of alternatives that respect traditions and legal structures of Indigenous nations and government.’

Choice Magazine vol 55:04:2017