April 12-18, 2023

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes Treaty rights, UNDRIP, child welfare, cumulative effects and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Treaty and language rights topped east coast headlines 

 

 

Ontario news included Treaty rights and cumulative effects 

 

 

Treaty rights were also front and centre across the prairies

 

 

Child welfare jurisdiction was in the spotlight in Alberta 

 

 

BC news included land rights, mining and UNDRIP 

 

 

In case you missed it, check out Kate’s and my latest blog post on the doctrine of discovery

 

 

FIRST PEOPLES LAW IN THE NEWS


Kate was interviewed about the NRTA and Treaty rights

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


A Saskatchewan court weighed in on the duty to consult

 

 

The Federal Court issued an election decision 

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


We’re from the perspective that our inherent treaty rights were here long before any provincial government was formed, long before this country of Canada was ever formed. And this is what people need to understand.

Chief Bobby Cameron, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


Tread softly because you tread on / my dreams.

- W.B. Yeats, “Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” in The Wind Among the Reeds (1899)

First Peoples Law is seeking additions to our growing team dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
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.