September 17 - 23, 2025

This week’s edition includes infrastructure funding, a self-government agreement, self-determination, wildlife management and more.  

 

IN THE NEWS


National news included infrastructure funding, the upcoming federal budget, and child welfare 

 

Indigenous leaders say budget must invest in infrastructure, health | APTN News  

Closing the First Nations infrastructure gap would benefit us all | The Hill Times

Federal Court asked to overturn tribunal order on First Nations child welfare | APTN News   

 

In Quebec, wildlife management and reconciliation made headlines  

 

Kebaowek wants Quebec to ban out-of-province moose hunters | APTN News 

Cree corporation joins $400M bid to redevelop former Hudson's Bay building in Montreal | CBC News 

 

A nuclear energy project, impact assessment, and child and family services made the news in Ontario  

 

Ontario First Nations must be consulted before nuclear project is fast-tracked: Anishinaabeg chiefs | INsauga 

Anishnawbe business association endorses "Forging A New Paradigm” for Ring of Fire impact assessment | Windspeaker 

‘An important step forward’: First Nations health authority, family services org. sign new agreement | NWONewsWatch

 

In Manitoba, wildfire impacts and moose hunting were the top headlines 

 

'Overwhelming' summer ends for thousands of Manitoba wildfire evacuees returning home | CBC News 

Pimicikamak Cree Nation calls on moose hunters to return licences, citing scarcity concerns | CBC News

 

A self-government agreement made headlines in the Northwest Territories

 

Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę sign final self-government agreement with Ottawa and NWT | CKLB Radio 

 

Yukon news featured self-determination 

 

Yukon First Nation holds first cultural caribou hunt on traditional territory in over 3 decades | CBC News 

 

LNG projects, FPIC and salmon farms made headlines in BC 

 

Ksi Lisims LNG to go ahead in B.C. regardless of First Nation's opposition: Eby | North Delta Reporter 

Obtain free, prior and informed consent B.C. before granting land tenures, says First Nations Leadership Council | Windspeaker 

What impact will LNG Canada’s Phase 2 project have on local First Nations communities? | CBC 

3 north Island First Nations frustrated as new evidence of sea lice on wild salmon emerges | Greater Victoria News 

 

CLIENTS IN THE NEWS


First Peoples Law is honoured to work alongside the Public Interest Law Centre to support Misipawistik Cree Nation in holding Manitoba accountable for failing to protect Misipawistik's treaty right to hunt moose. 

 

Misipawistik Cree Nation asks court to cancel some 2025 Manitoba moose hunting licences | CBC News 

 

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN ONE MINUTE


Bruce McIvor’s Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation is now available. Click here to download a free excerpt from the book. Click here to order your copy from an independent bookstore near you.

Upcoming Book Launch Events:

October 8 – Ottawa, ON 

For further details, check out our list of events here

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


Rather than being met with partnership, we are given an ultimatum: accept fossil fuel expansion or be pushed aside. 

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs  

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


Hope’s secret: 

it doesn’t know 

the destination— 

it knows only 

that all roads 

begin with one 

foot in front 

of the other. 

- Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, "Hope" (2020)

 

*Denotes an article that is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.

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 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.
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.
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.