July 17 - 23, 2024

This week’s edition includes language revitalization, economic development, a federal apology, mining and more.

IN THE NEWS

National headlines included carbon pricing and language revitalization

First Nations across Canada join Chiefs of Ontario in challenging carbon pricing inequities | NationTalk

AI presents opportunities and challenges to Indigenous collaborators trying to retain languages | The Globe and Mail

A hydrogen production project led the news in Nova Scotia

Opponents voice concerns as Nova Scotia project bets billions on green hydrogen | Global News

Ontario’s top story covered First Nations partnering in a new mining project

Sudbury's Stobie Mine getting new life above ground | CBC News

Damage to reserve lands and Métis harvesting rights were front and center in Manitoba

Flooding caused by failed muskrat management project in 1940s destroyed Manitoba First Nation's lands: lawsuit | CBC News

Manitoba Métis Federation president says he wasn't breaking the law after ticket for fishing without licence | CBC News

Saskatchewan news featured Canada’s apology to 9 Dakota and Lakota Nations and urgent calls for increased services

Apology ‘a significant step’ says Wahpeton Dakota Nation Chief, but only if accompanied by action | Prince Albert Daily Herald

Sask. First Nation calls for support over mental health and addiction crisis | CTV News

Land back, a modernized river treaty and mining made the news in BC

Treaty-protected sxwayxum village site returned to Snuneymuxw: 'Where our people have lived for thousands of years’ | IndigiNews

Ktunaxa mark milestone in Columbia River Treaty modernization | Trail Times

No mineral claims, exploration without permission, say Gitanyow | Business in Vancouver

The Eagle Gold Mine spill continued to make headlines in Yukon

Experts with first-hand accounts at Yukon mine disclose gravity of problems | CBC News

FROM THE COURTS

**On Friday at 9:45am EDT, the Supreme Court of Canada will release its decision on Restoule. To learn more about what’s at stake, check out Kate Gunn and Cody O'Neil’s blog post.**

Treaty Rights at the Supreme Court of Canada: Restoule Appeal | First Peoples Law | Kate Gunn and Cody O'Neil

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Mining and Indigenous rights can co-exist, but not absent a robust consent-based planning tenure regime."
- Naxginkw/Tara Marsden, Gitanyow Heriditary Chiefs Office

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Sometimes you risk everything for a life worth living, even if you're not the one that'll be alive to see it.”
- Cherie Dimaline, The Marrow Thieves (2017)

Applications now Open!

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. Applications for this year's $10,000 scholarship are now open until July 31, 2024.

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Join our Team!

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

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Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada 2024

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.

AVAILABLE HERE

Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.

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Standoff

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.

Residential School Reading List

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.

READING LIST

First Peoples Lawcast

Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.

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First Peoples Law Report

Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.

Who We Are

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.

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Bruce McIvor

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.

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