December 14-20, 2022

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes Treaty rights, Aboriginal title, child welfare, new court cases and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Ontario news included consultation, caribou and Aboriginal title 

 

 

Treaty rights were in the spotlight in Manitoba 

 

 

Indigenous jurisdiction and urban reserves were front and centre in Saskatchewan 

 

 

Treaty rights and sovereignty continue to top Alberta headlines 

 

 

UNDRIP and mining laws are before the courts in BC

 

 

National news included protected areas, child welfare and enfranchisement 

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The BC Court of Appeal weighed in on Charter rights

 

 

The Ontario Superior Court issued an injunction regarding land defence at 1492 Land Back Lane 

 

 

FIRST PEOPLES LAWCAST


In case you missed it, check out our latest podcast episode featuring 2022 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship recipient Casey Caines joining last year's winners Anita Cardinal-Stewart and Mary McPherson for a conversation on law school, working in community, decolonizing education and more. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“We are the original rights holders of this land. No policy or act is going to tell us different.” 

- Chief Okimaw Iskwew Margaret Bear, Ochapowace Nation 

 

SEE YOU IN 2023!


We’re taking the next two weeks off. You’ll get your next First Peoples Law Report on January 10th. Check out our social media channels from December 27-31 for our annual Indigenous Rights Year in Review Countdown!

First Peoples Law is seeking additions to our growing team dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
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.