June 6-12, 2022

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes the doctrine of discovery, UNDRIP, Aboriginal title, consultation, caribou and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


UNDRIP, Aboriginal title and fishing rights topped BC headlines 

 

 

Consultation and carbon were front and centre in Alberta

 

 

The doctrine of discovery was in the spotlight in the NWT 

 

 

The denial of Indigenous rights was on display on the east coast 

 

 

A new federal law is in the works regarding “historic sites”

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court weighed in on an election appeal board decision 

 

 

APPLY NOW! 2022 INDIGENOUS LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP


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! Click here to apply. 

You can also meet past recipients and download a poster on our website.

FIRST PEOPLES LAW IN THE NEWS


In case you missed it, check out our colleague Kate Gunn's article in Constitutional Forum's special edition on the Dickson v. Vuntut Gwitchin case: "Towards a Renewed Relationship: Modern Treaties & the Recognition of Indigenous Law-Making Authority."

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


I'm looking forward to teaching the "Law and Governance" course at the UBC Haida Gwaii Institute this month. 

I’m also looking forward to speaking at the “Current and Emerging Issues” conference this month hosted by the Federation of Community Social Services of BC in Penticton.

I'm honoured that my book, Standoff, is the central text for Osgoode Hall Law School's "In Search of Reconciliation Through Dispute Resolution." I'm looking forward to speaking to the class on July 19th. Learn more here.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“The apology is not good unless the seed is destroyed. So the real need is to have the Doctrine of Discovery revoked completely.” 

- Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


"...to carry within us an orchard, to eat / not only the skin, but the shade, / not only the sugar, but the days..."

- Li-Young Lee, "From Blossoms" in Rose (1986)

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