May 8 - 14, 2024

Reconciliation isn’t about making people feel good. It’s about tough conversations, and truth, however hard it is to hear."
- Cheryl Casimer, First Nations Summit

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Your staying put isn't an innocent stance."
- Billy-Ray Belcourt, A History of My Brief Body (2021)

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.

LISTEN HERE

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.

CHAT WITH US

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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May 8 - 14, 2024

This week’s edition includes Métis identity, environmental protection, pollution, community safety and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news included emergency management, Métis identity, and the appointment of a national Modern Treaty Commissioner

Community safety was front and centre in the North

Land back, mining, reconciliation and fish farms were top stories in BC

The duty to consult spurred a blockade in Alberta

Ontario headlines featured environmental pollution and access to justice

In Quebec, child welfare and environmental protection were the top stories

FROM THE COURTS

The Federal Court weighed in on First Nations' decision-making authority

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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