July 5-11, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes Treaty rights, human rights, child welfare, repatriation, restitution, Aboriginal title and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Aboriginal title and land restitution were front and centre in Ontario and Quebec

 

 

Self-government, human rights and cannabis jurisdiction topped Manitoba headlines

 

 

Child welfare jurisdiction was in the spotlight in Saskatchewan

 

 

Repatriation and wildfire response returned to BC news

 

 

Treaty rights took centre stage in the NWT

 

 

Indian Act discrimination is back before the courts

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


Check out our colleague Kate Gunn’s case comment on the BC Supreme Court’s recent decision in Blueberry River First Nations’ Treaty rights action

 

 

FIRST PEOPLES LAW IN THE NEWS


In case you missed it, we're excited to announce First Peoples Law and Donovan & Co. have merged to become First Peoples Law LLP

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


"We're not shareholders or stakeholders, we're rights holders, which are inherent to us and our children yet unborn.”

- Chief Delorme, Cowessess First Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“The future is always here in the past.”

- Amiri Baraka, "Jazzmen" (1995)

In light of recent news, 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.
As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, First Peoples Law offers an annual $5,000 scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Deadline: July 31, 2021.
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.
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.
Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights!
Check out our free e-book Reconciliation on Trial: Wet'suwet'en, Aboriginal Title and the Rule of Law.
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.