January 29 - February 4, 2025

This week’s edition includes Treaty litigation, Aboriginal title, water rights and more.

 

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kwakwaka'wakw hereditary chief Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla (Bill Wilson) last week. In 1973, Wilson was one of the first Indigenous people to graduate from law school in BC. Throughout his life and career, Wilson was a tireless champion for Indigenous rights. Our condolences are with his family at this time.

 

Hereditary chief Bill Wilson, father of former cabinet minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, dead | CBC News

 

IN THE NEWS


National news included Treaty rights, and MMIWG

 

FSIN says treaty rights must be respected as U.S. tariff threat looms | Regina Leader Post

Federal government ends MMIWG funding to northern prosecution offices | CBC News

 

Access to healthcare was the top story in the Maritimes

 

Wolastoqey family outraged after nurse refuses to come into community | APTN News

 

In Ontario, Treaty litigation, water rights, the duty to consult, and mining made the news

 

Robinson Superior Treaty annuities case heads back to court after settlement talks fail | CBC News

Robinson Superior Treaty Settlement doomed from start: Gull Bay Chief | APTN News

‘These divide-and-conquer tactics are destroying us’: Matawa First Nations reflect on Doug Ford’s Ring of Fire legacy | Ricochet

Canada’s longest lasting boil water advisory continues in Neskantaga First Nation | CKDR

Aroland First Nation signs $20M Ring of Fire deal with Ontario 

 

Elections and Aboriginal title made headlines in Manitoba 

 

'I will make you proud,' Kyra Wilson says after election as Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs grand chief | CBC News

Federal government rejects First Nation’s claim to The Forks | Brandon Sun

 

A class action Treaty rights claim was the top story in Saskatchewan

 

Federal class action claims government failed to support First Nations with opioid crisis | SaskNOW

 

In Alberta, mining and water rights were front and center

 

Piikani First Nation group to keep fighting-mining moratorium lifted | APTN News

Special Rapporteur Hears About First Nations Water Rights at International Seminar | Alberta Native News

 

Legal actions and cultural & economic reconciliation made headlines in BC

 

Gitxaala Nation claims title to Prince Rupert port in lawsuit | Victoria Times Colonist

Coastal nations take to ‘B.C.’s’ highest court to push province’s UNDRIP obligation | IndigiNews

Shíshálh Foundation Agreement renewed | Coast Reporter

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


Our rights to water, land, resources remain intact and they must be upheld by Canada and the province of Alberta.

- Chief Vernon Watchmaker, Kehewin Cree Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


You can change the law but you can’t change people and how they treat each other.

- Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys (2019) 

Check out and register for Bruce's upcoming online course, Law and Governance. This course is open to anyone and is part of the Haida Gwaii Institute's Micro-Certificate in Co-Management of Natural Resources.
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.