March 20 - 26, 2024

This week’s edition includes stewardship, court actions, jurisdiction, Indigenous identity and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Decolonizing media and the auditor general’s report on policing & housing topped national news 

 

'Completely discouraged': Auditor slams First Nations housing, policing failures | CTV News 

First Nations, Inuit policing program has 'critical shortcomings' AG | APTN News 

Feds have made little progress fixing First Nations housing: AG | APTN News  

Assembly of First Nations national chief calls for action following reports on housing, policing | CBC News 

'I don't think anyone should graduate from university with any degree and not learn this stuff,' says Indigenous Peoples and Media prof | The Coast

 

Indigenous identity, mining and stewardship were front and centre in the North

 

Inuit and Innu United Against False Claims of Indigenous Identity | NetNewsLedger 

Innu Nation disputes Canada's recognition of NunatuKavut in Federal Court | CBC News 

Kaska chief ‘can’t support’ proposed Yukon mine after consultation | APTN News 

Historic Indigenous-Led Conservation Agreement for Northwest Territories Nears Completion in Canada | Pew 

 

BC news included Nuchatlaht’s title case, UNDRIP and cultural losses

 

Trial continues to define Nuchatlaht’s title over territory | Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper 

B.C. First Nation shares concerns over oil spills with UN | Castlegar News 

 

A lawsuit against Alberta Energy Regulator topped Alberta headlines

 

In oil country, First Nation with high cancer rates accuses AER of 'regulated murder' | IndigiNews 

 

Manitoba news featured a new commitment to support the landfill search

 

'We have to try': Ottawa, Manitoba commit $40M to search landfill for slain women | City News 

 

Ontario headlines included the rule of law, health and wellness, Métis rights, jurisdiction and climate change

 

The OPP doesn't have to enforce First Nations laws. Indigenous leaders say that's outrageous — and they want the Ford government to act | Toronto Star 

Cross-sector approach needed to address health and wellness in First Nations | Windspeaker 

How a cabin fuelled a court action over Ontario Métis harvesting rights | CBC News 

Ottawa agrees to scrap Ontario Highway 413 impact assessment, pending judge approval | CBC News 

Short season on Ontario southern ice road makes First Nation life unpredictable | Global News

 

Check out TVO Today’s video on the Doctrine of Discovery with Bruce McIvor, Pamela Palmater and the Honourable Harry S. LaForme  

 

What is the Doctrine of Discovery? | NDN POV | TVO Today - YouTube

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


Settler governments do not have the power to legitimize non-Indigenous groups as Indigenous.”

- Grand Chief Simon Pokue, Innu Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


Every moment happens twice: inside and outside, and they are two different histories."

- Zadie Smith, White Teeth (2000) 

 

First Peoples Law is seeking additions to our growing team dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
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.
Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.
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.
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.
Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.
Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.
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.
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.