March 12 - 18, 2025

This week’s edition includes child welfare, Treaty rights, mining, a successful court challenge and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


National news included child welfare, Jordan’s Principle, cultural burning and Indigenous procurement

 

Claims process now open for historic $23 billion child welfare settlement | Windspeaker

Karuk Tribe right to cultural burning affirmed in agreement with California | CBC News

Jordan’s Principle ‘not a suggestion,’ AMC grand chief says in call for full implementation | Global News

Indigenous groups press for greater say in Ottawa’s contracting policy rules | The Globe and Mail*

 

Ecosystem health and land protection were the top stories in British Columbia

 

Is this fish disappearing from the Georgia Strait? | The Narwhal

‘Inherently racist’: Wet'suwet'en leader on the crime of defending her land | The Breach

 

Treaty rights were front and center in Alberta 

 

Reasserting Sovereignty: Defending Treaty Nations and challenging the governments of Canada and Alberta | Windspeaker

 

In Saskatchewan, elk hunting made the news 

 

More voices join the call to stop a March hunt for elk | 98COOL

 

Mining impacts and community safety made headlines in the Yukon  

 

YKDFN ‘hopeful’ for Giant Mine resolution | Cabin Radio

Yukon RCMP 'not going anywhere,' says commanding officer, responding to PM's proposed reforms | CBC News

 

Indigenous employment was in the spotlight in the Northwest Territories  

 

Motion to halt Indigenous Employment Policy is defeated | Cabin Radio

 

Tariffs, a court challenge and mining continued to make headlines in Ontario 

 

Sovereign FN in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory Reject Application of Trade Tariffs | Wawa-News

First Nation wins second court challenge to Chalk River nuclear waste site over threats to bats and turtles | The Globe and Mail*

Northwestern Ontario's Ring of Fire central in U.S.-Canada trade war: experts | CBC News

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court weighed in on an application for judicial review of a membership decision

 

Collier v. Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation, 2025 FC 463

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


The Treaty-making process did not create new rights—making Treaty is recognition of pre-existing rights and a commitment to respect them, without any interference.

Statement from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Samson Cree Nation and Montana First Nation of Treaty No. 6 Territory 

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?

- Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give (2017)

 

*Denotes an article that is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.