January 3 - 9, 2024

You should not have to be arrested by conservation officers or have game confiscated by conservation officers for exercising your protected and inherent rights, rights that are constitutionally protected.
- Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

There is room on this land for all of us and there must also be, after centuries of struggle, room for justice for Indigenous peoples. That is all we ask. And we will settle for nothing less.
- Arthur Manuel, Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call (2021)

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Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada 2023

First Peoples Law is the author of Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada: Cases and Commentary. Previously authored by legendary law professor Shin Imai for over two decades, the book includes hundreds of annotations of significant court decisions and federal legislation regarding Indigenous rights in Canada. We hope it continues to be a useful resource for Indigenous Peoples defending and advancing their rights across the country.

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Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.

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Standoff

Faced with a constant stream of news reports of standoffs and confrontations, Canada’s “reconciliation project” has obviously gone off the rails. In this series of concise and thoughtful essays, lawyer and historian Bruce McIvor explains why reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is failing and what needs to be done to fix it.

Residential School Reading List

We are providing a list of resources for anyone looking to get informed about the truth of Residential Schools shared by Survivors across the country. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list. We would welcome any feedback or recommendations.

READING LIST

First Peoples Lawcast

Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.

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First Peoples Law Report

Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.

Who We Are

First Peoples Law LLP is a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We work closely with First Nations to defend their Aboriginal title, rights and Treaty rights, uphold their Indigenous laws and governance and ensure economic prosperity for their members.

CHAT WITH US

Bruce McIvor

Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is partner at First Peoples Law LLP. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law where he teaches the constitutional law of Aboriginal and Treaty rights. A member of the bar in British Columbia and Ontario, Bruce is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading practitioner of Aboriginal law in Canada. Bruce's ancestors took Métis scrip at Red River in Manitoba. He holds a law degree, a Ph.D. in Aboriginal and environmental history, is a Fulbright Scholar and author of Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

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January 3 - 9, 2024

In case you missed it, check out our 2023 Indigenous Rights Year in Review.

This week’s edition includes (lack of) progress on the Calls to Action, economic reconciliation, fishing, mining and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news featured the Calls to Action, Métis rights, Ribbon Skirt day and mining

Fishing rights and Indigenous identity were the top stories on the East Coast

Quebec news included day schools and consultation

Ontario headlines highlighted mining, economic reconciliation and policing

Treaty rights returned to the news in Manitoba

Harvesting rights and cumulative impacts front and centre in the North

BC headlines included fishing, Land Back, UNDRIP and conservation

FROM THE COURTS

The Yukon Supreme Court weighed in on consultation for the Kudz Ze Kayah mine project

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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