July 26 - Aug 1, 2023

By Bruce McIvor and Carlie Kane

This week’s edition includes human rights, land stewardship, compensation, consultation and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Human rights returned to national news

 

 

Land stewardship and environmental racism featured in Quebec news

 

 

Land rights and compensation were front and centre in Manitoba and Ontario

 

 

Consultation and land sales were in the spotlight in Saskatchewan

 

 

In case you missed it, check out First Peoples Law's latest case comment on the Nuchatlaht decision by our colleagues Kate Gunn and Nico McKay

 

 

CLIENTS IN THE NEWS


Our colleague Kate was interviewed about our client Shoal Lake 40 First Nation's lawsuit against the City of Winnipeg regarding the devastating impacts of the Winnipeg aqueduct

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court of Appeal issued a new decision on a proposed project for an international transmission line through Treaty 1 territory

 

 

JOIN OUR TEAM!


We have posted two positions for articling students for 2024-2025. Please share widely with your network! Learn more here.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


Our people have done what we must to survive . . . we've had to fight long and hard for the essentials of safe access and clean drinking water.

- Chief Kevin Redsky, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


Teachings come from everywhere when you open yourself to them. That's the trick of it really, to open yourself to everything and everything opens itself to you.

- Richard Wagamese, “One Ojibway's Meditations” from Embers (2016) - Ojibway author from the Wabaseemoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario

 

SEE YOU SOON


We're taking next week off. You'll receive your next First Peoples Law Report on August 8th. 

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.