December 6 - 12, 2023

This week’s edition includes AFN's new National Chief, carbon pricing, consultation, conservation, class actions and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news featured AFN's new National Chief, class actions and proposed federal legislation

A long battle now behind it, the AFN has a new national chief | Windspeaker

National Chief Woodhouse thanks family, teachings for getting her to top job | northeastNOW

First Nations leaders and Métis groups in dispute over Bill C-53 | Alberta Native News

Federal Court of Canada Appoints Settlement Implementation Committee to Compensate First Nations Children and Families | Assembly of First Nations

Class members have three months to submit their claims under the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement | Newswire

Indigenous services minister to table First Nations water bill as early as Monday | CP24

Resource protection and stewardship were top stories in Quebec

Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government calls for moratorium on shrimp fishery in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence | Newswire

Atikamekw community signs relationship framework with provincial government | The Record

Ontario news included carbon pricing and treaty rights

Optimism shared over Robinson Huron Treaty annuities case | toronto.com

Behind First Nations’ demands for climate tax exemptions | Canada's National Observer: Climate News

A lawsuit, municipal partnerships and consultation made headlines across the prairies

Manitoba Hydro dams caused decades of harm to Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, lawsuit alleges | CBC News

SaskPower has signed an engagement agreement with Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources | MBC Radio

Agreement to forge new partnerships for municipalities, First Nations | Hamilton Spectator

New cultural centre in Pheasant Rump will be space to practise, preserve Nakota culture and language: chief | CBC News

BC news featured Métis rights, harvesting rights, conservation, a new Chief Justice, repatriation and human rights

FNLC Supports BC’s Release of Distinctions-Based Approach Primer and Clarification of BC’s Position on Métis Rights | UBCIC

Klahoose First Nation secures logging rights on their traditional territory | Global News

How BC Is Tackling a ‘Paradigm Shift’ in Its Forests | The Tyee

Colleagues hail appointment of 1st Indigenous B.C. Chief Justice in court's history | CBC News

Port Hardy First Nations request return of 17 masks | Victoria Times Colonist

Amnesty International reports 'ongoing violations' of human rights on Wet'suwet'en territory | CBC News

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the First Peoples Law booth at the AFN AGA last week to say hello, pick up a hat and enter our raffle. See you next time!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

United, we will continue to grow First Nations’ impact on decision-making in our traditional territories, Ottawa and internationally.
- National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Assembly of First Nations

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Our presence is our weapon, and this is visible to me at every protest, every mobilization, every time a Two Spirit person gifts us with a dance at our powwows, every time we speak our truths, every time we embody Indigenous life.
- Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance (2017)

Meet the Recipients of the 2023 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship

First Peoples Law is pleased to announce the 2023 winner, finalist and honourable mentions of our Indigenous Law Student Scholarship. This year's $10,000 and $2,000 scholarships were awarded to Raven Richards and Sophia Sidarous, respectively. Congratulations to the honourable mentions Jaxxen Wiley, Mahève Rondeau and Tyler Ermineskin. Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. We're looking forward to carrying it on next year.

Meet the Recipients

Join our Team!

First Peoples Law is seeking additions to our growing team dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

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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.

AVAILABLE HERE

Indigenous Rights in One Minute

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

START LEARNING

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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