Sept 27 - Oct 3, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes new court cases, land defence, Treaty rights, human rights, UNDRIP and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


It was National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

 

 

Land defence and Treaty rights topped BC headlines

 

 

Coal mining was back in Alberta news

 

 

Land claims and sovereignty were front and centre in Ontario

 

 

Systemic racism returned to the spotlight in Quebec

 

 

It was Treaty Day on the east coast

 

 

Consultation was a hot topic in and out of courts

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court dismissed Canada's latest challenge to findings of its discrimination against First Nations children

 

 

The Federal Court also weighed in on the duty to consult

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“These families have been through enough. It’s time for [Canada] to put down their sword.”

- Cindy Blackstock

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“Indigenous peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to any act of genocide or any other act of violence, including forcibly removing children of the group to another group.”

- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

 

INDIGENOUS LAW


The RELAW team (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water) at West Coast Environmental Law is currently welcoming expressions of interest from Indigenous individuals and nations in BC who would like to participate in their Indigenous Law Co-Learning Program.

 

SEE YOU OCTOBER 17th


We're taking next week off. You'll get your next First Peoples Law Report Sunday, October 17th. See you then!

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.