Oct 25-31, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes UNDRIP, Treaty rights, Charter rights, land defence, injunctions, protected areas, repatriation and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


West coast news included land defence and UNDRIP

 

 

In Saskatchewan, Treaty rights and land sales were front and centre 

 

 

Child welfare, consent and policing were major topics in Manitoba

 

 

Ontario news included injunctions, repatriation and protected areas 

 

 

Treaty and language rights topped headlines on the east coast 

 

 

Indigenous jurisdiction and Charter rights were back in Yukon news

 

 

Human rights and child welfare returned to the national spotlight. In case you missed it, check out our colleague Kate Gunn’s new case comment on this topic:

 

 

Lastly, Indigenous rights and climate change took to the international stage 

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Alberta Court of Appeal weighed in on the honour of the Crown and reconciliation 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS: BOOK LAUNCH!


Join Bruce and Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (Aki Kwe) on Nov. 17th at 4pm pacific for the online launch of Bruce’s new book Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous Peoples and How to Fix It. Hosted by Massy Books: register here and pre-order your copy!
 

Bruce will also be speaking on the Southwind decision and UNDRIP at the CLEBC's upcoming Aboriginal Law Conference on November 4th.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“A core objective of Canada’s legal system has been to assimilate, displace, and deny the rights of First Nations people since its inception, targeting our children. 150+ years later we still see it being used for the same purpose. We will not sit idly by as this colonial government continues to deny our rights.”

- Cheryl Casimer

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


"Our laws make law impossible..."

- George Bernard Shaw, preface to Major Barbara (1907)

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.
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!
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, and is a Fulbright Scholar. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.