May 27 - June 2, 2026

Water is life, and the health of our watersheds can no longer be treated as secondary to development and short-term interests.
- Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Whatever the reason, I came to the realization that I'd earned my way here and that I had the right to chase my dreams. That even I deserved a second chance.
Jesse Thistle, From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way (2019)

2026 Scholarship Applications Now Open

We are excited to once again offer our annual $10,000 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples.

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Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor provides the answers and context to support a thoughtful and respectful national conversation about reconciliation and the fulfillment of Canada’s commitment to a better future for Indigenous people.

First Peoples Lawcast

Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.

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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

Dr. Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is senior 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, Manitoba 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 two books on Indigenous rights: Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation (2025) and Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (2021). He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

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May 27 - June 2, 2026

This week’s edition includes clean drinking water legislation, Aboriginal title, child welfare, treaty rights, and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news featured clean drinking water legislation

Aboriginal title continues to take the spotlight in BC

In the Yukon, child welfare and treaty rights were the top stories

Treaty rights and the Alberta-Canada pipeline agreement were front and center in Alberta

Northwest Territories news included child welfare

Public safety was the top story in Saskatchewan

In Nunavut, a delayed land use plan made headlines

Environmental contamination made the news in Ontario

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Check out Bruce McIvor's latest blog post on the discourse around Alberta secession.

FPL IN THE NEWS

First Peoples Law’s Jennifer Griffith was recently interviewed by the Powell River Peak regarding the specific claims process

FROM THE COURTS

The Federal Court of Appeal weighed in on the Minister's decision to grant a permit under the Species at Risk Act for a nuclear disposal facility

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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**The Federal Court of Appeal weighed in on the Minister's decision to grant a permit under the Species at Risk Act for a nuclear disposal facility**