Sara Mainville on Bill C-92, UNDRIP, and whether Canada's reconciliation tools are built to fail

Can colonial legal tools truly deliver inherent jurisdiction, or must Indigenous nations build solutions within their own legal traditions? Sara Mainville, managing partner at JFK Law LLP and former Chief of Couchiching First Nation, unpacks the concept of legislative reconciliation and how efforts such as Bill C-92 attempt to create space for Indigenous jurisdiction within federal and provincial frameworks. She reflects on the promise—and limits—of coordination agreements, national standards, and capacity funding. She also tackles the legal uncertainty surrounding UNDRIP and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. As courts increasingly weigh in on the meaning of “free, prior and informed consent,” Mainville challenges the persistent “veto” narrative and argues for a more nuanced understanding of Indigenous decision-making—one rooted in self-determination, participatory governance, and fairness.ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NATIONBreakthrough Nation spotlights people whose ambition, grit, and sense of duty are moving Canada forward. I’m Karen Restoule, your host, and each episode features leaders delivering real results across regions and sectors.ABOUT SERIES #3SERIES #3 examines the growing tension between Aboriginal title, private property, and land-use certainty — starting in British Columbia. We’ll look at how recent court decisions are reshaping investment risk, governance, and Canada’s ability to build with confidence. You’ll hear from leading legal minds, policy experts, academics, and practitioners working at the intersection of Indigenous law, major projects, and economic development.SERIES 3 is presented in collaboration with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.Make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode.Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on: iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.WATCH podcasts in video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakthroughNationCAThank you for joining us on Breakthrough Nation podcast.Follow along at:YouTube:    / @breakthroughnationca  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakthroughnationTwitter: @ambitionandgritInstagram: @breakthroughnationcaFacebook: www.facebook.com/breakthroughnation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.