Sept 13-19, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes Treaty rights, Charter rights, human rights, injunctions, consultation, policing and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Consultation and Treaty rights topped headlines on the east coast 

 

 

Sovereignty and policing returned to Quebec news 

 

 

Human rights and systemic racism were in the spotlight in Treaty 3 

 

 

In Ontario, Treaty annuities remain before the courts 

 

 

Treaty rights were also front and centre in Alberta

 

 

BC news included governance and racist policing 

 

 

Charter rights and racism are at the centre of a new class action against the federal government

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The BC Court of Appeal weighed in on land restitution

 

 

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION


Check out this list of events provided by the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre taking place on and around Orange Shirt Day this year.

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc has also issued a call to "Drum for the Children" on September 30th at 2:15pm pacific. Read the call here.

We have also provided a list of resources for anyone looking to get informed about the truth of Residential Schools shared by Survivors across the country.  

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“It's about damn time.”

- Chief Redsky, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

 

OFF THE RECORD


“Stories create us.”

- Joy Harjo, The Spiral of Memory (1996)

Articling at First Peoples Law provides the unique opportunity to work with and learn from recognized leading lawyers and on behalf of inspiring clients across the country who are at the forefront of developing the law through the defence of their Indigenous rights. Application deadline: October 15, 2021.
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.
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.
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, and is a Fulbright Scholar. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.