February 26 - March 4, 2025

**This week’s edition includes Charter rights, Treaty rights, land claims, language revitalization and more.**

IN THE NEWS

National news featured elections and child welfare

Liberal leadership debate ignores Indigenous issues | APTN News

Hajdu tells First Nations to work out child welfare talks with AFN | APTN News

**Duty to consult, land protection, Charter rights and Treaty rights topped the news in BC**

Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs in court to fight for proper consultation on proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project | Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs

First Nations concerned about expediting B.C. projects to counter tariffs threat | The Narwhal

How One First Nation Is Taking Back Control of Their ‘Devastated’ Lands | The Tyee

Heiltsuk Nation files Charter challenge over RCMP refusal to enforce bylaws | CBC News

Canada, B.C. government ink statement with South Island First Nations | Chek News

Environmental impacts, Jordan’s principle and the Inuit child first initiative were front and center in the North

‘Impunity’ allowed negligence to prevail before Victoria Gold mine slide: Yukon First Nation | Yukon News

N.W.T. faces uncertainty over changes to Jordan's Principle, which funds 60% of school support assistants | CBC News

Calls grow to extend Inuit Child First Initiative | Nunatsiaq News

Child welfare made the news in the prairies

Driftpile Cree Nation signs agreement with Canada supporting First Nations jurisdiction over child and family services | The Globe and Mail

In Ontario, Treaty rights and child welfare were the top stories

NAN calls on Ford to retract Ring of Fire statements | APTN News

Chiefs in Ontario vote in favour of federal child welfare reform deal | APTN News

Transborder trade was at the forefront in Quebec

First Nations must not be forgotten amid Trump threats, outgoing Chief Picard says | northeastNOW

Treaty rights, environmental cleanup and a land claim made waves on the east coast

Chiefs granted intervenor status in border-crossing lobster case | Spare News | Penticton Herald

RCMP cannabis raids violate treaty rights, say Mi'kmaw dispensary owners in N.S. | CBC News

Pictou Landing First Nation seeks judicial review of Boat Harbour cleanup plan | CBC News

P.E.I. First Nations accept $17.5M settlement offer for Hog Island land claim | CBC News

FROM THE COURTS

The Supreme Court of Canada weighed the duty to consult and the doctrine of abuse of process.

Saskatchewan (Environment) v. Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, 2025 SCC 4

Supreme Court sides with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan in land consultation battle with Sask. government | CBC News

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Language is a big part of who we are, it gives us the ability to see the worldview from our ancestors.
- Jamie Battiste, Mi'kmaw, MP for Sydney-Victoria

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

Each of us narrates our life as it suits us.
- Elena Ferrante, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay (2013)

Online Course: Law and Governance

Check out and register for Bruce's upcoming online course, Law and Governance. This course is open to anyone and is part of the Haida Gwaii Institute's Micro-Certificate in Co-Management of Natural Resources.

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.

START LEARNING

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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