June 19 - 25, 2024

Applications for our 2025-2026 articling program are open until June 28. We are seeking articling students for our Vancouver and Ottawa offices. Learn more and apply here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Finding balance to sustain the future lives of our members, Elders, and youth for generations to come is an important factor in reconciliation."
- Chief Judy Desjarlais, Blueberry River First Nations

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Stories do more than comfort. They take you away and bring you back better made."
- Tommy Orange, Wandering Stars (2024)

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Applications now Open!

As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, First Peoples Law offers an annual scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Applications for this year's $10,000 scholarship are now open until July 31, 2024.

Apply Now

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 2024

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.

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June 19 - 25, 2024

This week’s edition includes National Indigenous Peoples Day, child welfare, environmental rights, language revitalization, fisheries and more.

IN THE NEWS

Last week marked National Indigenous Peoples Day

National news included child welfare, climate change and environmental racism

On the East Coast, a specific claim, education and fisheries topped headlines

Québec stories featured environmental rights and endangered species

The Ring of Fire and language revitalization made news in Ontario

Mining and a new development partnership were front and center in Saskatchewan

Sovereignty and a new funding agreement was the top story in Alberta

Headlines in BC included fisheries, treaties, land protection and cross-border consultation

FROM THE COURTS

The Federal Court weighed in on the duty to consult.

ARTICLING APPLICATIONS CLOSE JUNE 28

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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