May 15 - 28, 2024

Applications for our 2025-2026 articling program are now open. We are seeking articling students for our Vancouver and Ottawa offices. Learn more here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

If I get arrested for sticking up for our lands, sticking up for our treaty, sticking up for what we believe in, I think that will be a shame on the province, on the country, and on industry."
- Chief Laboucan-Avirom, Woodland Cree First Nation

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

It’s easy to feel celestial when you’re looking up at the sky."
- Brandi Bird, The All + Flesh (2023)

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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.

Apply Now

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 15 - 28, 2024

This week’s edition includes land governance, identity, fishing rights, self-determination and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news centered on identity and environmental racism legislation

Northern headlines featured land governance and a hearing on environmental impacts

Land ownership, Haida title, salmon, and old-growth logging topped BC news

Land protection, environmental impacts and access to justice were top stories in Alberta

Child welfare and education were newsmakers on the Prairies

Ontario headlines included Métis identity, treaty rights, language, and fishing

Quebec news featured self-determination and air pollution

Fishing rights made headlines on the East Coast

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Check out Kate Gunn's case comment on the recent Supreme Court of Canada Shot Both Sides v. Canada decision

ARTICLE WITH FIRST PEOPLES LAW

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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**Check out Kate Gunn's case comment on the recent Supreme Court of Canada Shot Both Sides v. Canada decision**