May 24-30, 2023

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes land rights, law enforcement, legal education, language rights and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


We’re proud of our Manitoba clients for taking a stand in defence of their lands, waters and Treaty rights 

 

 

Law enforcement and legal education were also in the spotlight in Manitoba 

 

 

Ontario news included land rights, consultation and Métis rights 

 

 

Language rights were front and centre in Quebec 

 

 

In case you missed it, I recently spoke about land back at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


I'm looking forward to speaking on the panel “History on Trial” at the Indigenous History and Heritage Gathering in Ottawa next Tuesday, June 6. Click here for more info.

 

OFF THE PRESS


I recently reviewed a book about Aboriginal title by Patricia Burke Wood and David A. Rossiter: 

Unstable Properties: Aboriginal Title and the Claim of British Columbia | BC Studies

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


How can we teach our children our traditional practices when our lands and waters are being destroyed?

- Chief Shirley Ducharme, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


The land is the boss.

- Gary Potts, “The Land is the Boss: How Stewardship Can Bring Us Together” in Nation to Nation: Aboriginal Sovereignty and the Future of Canada (1992)

As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, First Peoples Law offers an annual scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples.
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.