January 8 - 14, 2025

This week’s edition includes reactions to Trudeau’s resignation, child welfare reform, land protection, human rights and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


National news included Trudeau’s resignation, housing, child welfare and water legislation

 

A timeline of the Trudeau government as prime minister resigns | APTN News

Some First Nations people critical of Justin Trudeau's commitment to reconciliation | CBC News

New First Nations housing agreement will see some cuts | APTN News

First Nations leaders urge Canada to renew national talks on $47.8B child welfare reform settlement | CBC News

Hajdu says failing to pass First Nations water bill would be 'deep disappointment' | Sault Ste. Marie News

Bill C-92 legislation hits five-year anniversary | Penticton Herald

 

The Columbia River Treaty and Indigenous fishing practices made headlines in BC 

 

Restoring Indigenous fish weirs in B.C. | The Narwhal

Trump sparks anxiety over unfinished Columbia River Treaty | Indignews

 

Caribou management was the top story in the NWT

 

Appeals court finds N.W.T.'s tag and quota system not the only way to manage caribou in Sahtu | CBC News

 

Language revitalization and land protection made the news in Manitoba 

 

MMF gets $15M to advance Michif language | APTN News

Lemay Forest land protectors say they're staying put despite injunction | APTN News

 

Nunavut news featured research on climate change and food security 

 

Nunavut researchers say more should be done to understand how climate is changing access to country food | CBC News

 

Human rights, water protection, child welfare and mining were the top headlines in Ontario

 

Human rights hearing called for by Indigenous police chiefs of Ontario is delayed | CBC News

Northern Ontario First Nations collaborate on water protection | The Narwhal

Child welfare deal hopefully done before next election say chiefs | APTN News 

First Nation sets up checkpoint against human trafficking | APTN News

New research explores impact of Ring of Fire mining on First Nations in northern Ontario | CBC News

 

FROM THE COURTS


Last week, the Federal Court weighed in on an appeal of a judicial review related to harvesting rights 

 

Colville Lake Renewable Resources Council v Northwest Territories (Minister of Environment and Natural Resources), 2025 NWTCA 1

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


Our Dene ways have always kept us going, a lot of the things that we did was making sure that everything was always provided for the future, the next generation... Our system is not broken.

David Codzi, former President of the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


The world would have been a much more interesting place if everyone was given a chance to meet their ancestors at least for an hour in their lifetime.

- Elif Shafak, There are Rivers in the Sky (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.
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.