Sept 7-13, 2020

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes UNDRIP, Treaty rights, #LandBack, systemic racism, salmon stocks and more. 

 

IN THE NEWS


Calls continue for a systemic racism inquiry in New Brunswick

 

 

Lobster fishing and Treaty rights returned to Nova Scotia headlines

 

 

COVID-19, UNDRIP and child welfare were front and centre in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

 

 

In Ontario, land restitution and Bill 197 were in the spotlight

 

 

It was the 170th anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty

 

 

Lastly, Indigenous justice centres and salmon stocks were back in BC news

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench dismissed the province’s application to remove a teepee in Treaty 4 territory

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“Our perspective is that we're honouring the relationship that existed — that still exists. As hard as it can be to line up for that $4 payment on an annual basis, it's a grim reminder to the Crown that the terms are not honourable."

- Chief Duke Peltier, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“When we take the land back we also take the future back from the colonizer.”

- Métis in Space, “Back 2 the Land: 2Land 2Furious” (2020)

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.
It was a real honour to join Chief Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation, to co-present a webinar on environmental racism and the law this week. Thanks to the Manitoba Eco-Network, the Public Interest Law Centre and the University of Winnipeg for the invitation. Check out the upcoming webinars in their series “Navigating the Law to the Protect the Environment."
In case you missed it, check out my colleague Kate Gunn’s overview of Aboriginal law cases to watch at the Supreme Court of Canada this fall.
KITCHEN TABLE CHATS
First Peoples Law is hosting a series of “Kitchen Table Chats” for Indigenous people to share information and develop strategies to defend their title and rights and uphold their laws and governance. If you’d like to register for our upcoming session on governance and the applicability of the Charter, please email us at kitchentablechat@firstpeopleslaw.com with your contact information, position and the name of your organization/community.
BACK TO SCHOOL
I’m back at Allard Law at UBC this semester teaching a virtual seminar on the history and future of Aboriginal law.
Check out our new podcast on the defence of Indigenous rights!
Looking to learn more about Indigenous rights in Canada?
Your weekly news update from First Peoples Law.
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. Bruce is a proud Métis from the Red River in Manitoba. He holds a Ph.D. in Aboriginal and environmental history and is a Fulbright Scholar. 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.