June 14-20, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes court battles, consultation, human rights, policing, language revitalization and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Canada’s UNDRIP bill is awaiting royal assent

 

 

Indigenous language revitalization was in the national spotlight

 

 

Child welfare litigation was back in Federal Court

 

 

Man camps were front and centre in Mi’kma’ki

 

     

    Consultation and coal mining returned to Alberta news

     

     

    Human rights, racist policing and forestry topped BC headlines

     

     

    FIRST PEOPLES LAW IN THE NEWS


    In case you missed it, check out Bruce's latest essay on the Doctrine of Discovery

     

     

    Angela D’Elia Decembrini spoke about Indigenous enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions at this health law panel hosted by Courthouse Libraries BC

     

     

    Bruce is honoured to join the Editorial Board of Canadian Lawyer magazine to advocate for the importance of the legal profession demonstrating greater respect for Indigenous rights and laws

     

     

    QUOTE OF THE WEEK


    "We were not pawns of war and we did not give up the land.”

    - Dennis White Bird, Rolling River First Nation

     

    As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, First Peoples Law offers an annual $5,000 scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Deadline: July 31, 2021.
    In light of the recent announcement by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, 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.
    First Peoples Law is the author of Annotated Aboriginal Law, 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.
    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.
    Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights!
    Check out our free e-book Reconciliation on Trial: Wet'suwet'en, Aboriginal Title and the Rule of Law.
    Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.
    First Peoples Law 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 principal of First Peoples Law Corporation. 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, and is a Fulbright Scholar. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.