January 10 - 16, 2024

As always, it is up to the First Nations people to uphold our place, to ensure genuine due process in Canada’s duty to consult obligations, and to continue our responsibility as stewards of the environment.
- Ratsénhaienhs Ross Montour, Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

He sounded like a lot of the youth in our community, stuck between the past and the future. The true goal is finding enough of both to make your life worth living.
- Drew Hayden Taylor, Take Us to Your Chief: And Other Stories (2016)

*Article is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.

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.

LISTEN HERE

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.

CONNECT

January 10 - 16, 2024

This week’s edition includes Indigenous law, class actions, land defence, housing and more.

IN THE NEWS

Jordan’s Principle and the Impact Assessment Act topped national news

Yukon headlines continued to feature consultation and mining

Indigenous law, the justice system, land defence and salmon were in BC headlines

Saskatchewan news included consultation and forestry

An annuities class action and MMIWG2S+ were front and centre in Manitoba

Ontario news featured burial sites, nuclear waste disposal and a housing development milestone

Environmental stewardship and Treaty rights were top stories in Quebec

The Innu Nation launched a class action for day school survivors on the East Coast

FROM THE COURTS

The Federal Court of Appeal weighed in on a Specific Claims Tribunal decision

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Share