August 23-29, 2022

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes Treaty rights, consent, the doctrine of discovery and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Treaty rights and land defence topped headlines on the east coast 

 

 

Land claims and consultation were front and centre in Ontario 

 

 

Alberta and NWT news also included Treaty rights

 

 

Education jurisdiction returned to Yukon headlines 

 

 

Consent and hunting rights were in the spotlight in BC

 

 

It was an honour to join my friends Drew Lafond and Val Napoleon to discuss Justice O’Bonsawin’s appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada 

 

 

The doctrine of discovery was back in national news. In case you missed it, check out my Indigenous Rights in One Minute instalment on this topic here. 

 

 

HOT OFF THE PRESS


Check out the Aboriginal rights litigation chapter in the CLEBC's latest edition of "Injunctions" with contributions from First Peoples Law's Kate Gunn and Bruce McIvor here.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


"We have always been independent; we've always had our own way. For thousands of years, we have enjoyed life here."

- Chief Tony Alexis, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“If you recognize our collective right to our lands and territories and decision-making over it, we will recognize your human right to stay here in our territories.” 
 
- Arthur Manuel, quoted in Nicole Schabus, "Going international to decolonize" in Whose Land Is It Anyway? (2017) 

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