Nature's Laws
Laws may be written or unwritten. The Constitution of Britain, for example, is not written. In Canada, some laws are statutory, others are "Common Law." The laws of Indigenous Peoples around the world are often referred to as "Nature’s Laws."
Nature’s Laws are highly interwoven and, like nature itself, a holistic entity incapable of being divided. Nonetheless, it is possible to view this holistic entity from different angles, or through different "lenses," in order to see special dimensions and relationships. Eight of these “lenses” through which Indigenous Understandings of Nature’s Laws can be more clearly seen, that is, the Categories of Nature's Laws, are presented on the website in separate sections as follows:
Spiritual Life—In Nature’s Laws, culture is shaped by ideas about "the sacred." This lens explores the notion of sacredness leading us to the interconnectedness of all things. Through it, the notion of what is "religious," in Western thought, is expanded to include all cosmic reality.
Traditions—Each of the world's peoples have their own special ways of behaving over long periods of time. Some of these ways are unnoticed; others are seen or designated as "tradition." Some traditions appear repeatedly in ordinary daily life; others appear in special ceremonies or "Ritual Law."
Culture—Culture is the all-embracing system in which
individuals live. Often, it is invisible to the people who live within it, but is easily seen by people of different cultures. In Nature’s Laws, Culture includes such areas as Relational
Law, Personal Law, Language and Linguistics, Local/Oral Law and Constitutional Law.
Governance—“Governance” is the way in which authority and power are expressed and experienced. In indigenous culture. “Governance” differs significantly from western notions of power and authority vested in government. This section presents Governmental Law, Legislation and Self-Governance.
Resources—The website also provides a range of resource material including primary information from scholarly sources, oral histories, case law, bibliographies, related articles, videos and other resources.
Context and Background—This section provides a context for understanding Nature's Laws, defines 10 categories of Nature's Laws developed by the project team and makes the case for traditional Indigenous justice within the laws of Canada.
Indigenous Peoples in Canada by 
Canada's Residential Schools: the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada by 
Indigenous Peoples and the Law by 
Aboriginal law handbook - 5th ed. by 
Aboriginal Legal Issues: Cases, Materials & Commentary by 
Canada's Indigenous Constitution by 
Essentials of Canadian Aboriginal Law by 
Terms of Coexistence: Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law by 
Aboriginal Law by 
Aboriginal Law: Supreme Court of Canada Decisions by 
Aboriginal Peoples and the Law: A Critical Introduction by 
Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws = Yerí7 re Stsqʼeyʼs-kucw by 
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by 
Delgamuukw: The Supreme Court of Canada decision on aboriginal title by 
The Annotated Indian Act and Aborigial Constitutional Provisions by 
