March 29 - April 4, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes UNDRIP, elections, land defence, Treaty rights, policing, Gladue reports, colonizer statues and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Mi’kmaq continue to defend their Treaty and inherent rights on and off the water

 

 

Hydropower, UNDRIP and Bill 79 were hot topics in Quebec

 

 

In Ontario, land defence and colonial policing were in the spotlight

 

 

Métis governance was front and centre in Manitoba

 

 

Policing and Indigenous jurisdiction topped headlines in Saskatchewan and Alberta

 

 

BC and Yukon news included title and rights, mining laws and Gladue reports

 

 

Colonizer statues and museums made a return to national news

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court weighed in on the First Nations Election Cancellation and Postponement Regulations. Thanks to Rob Louie for sharing the decision.

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


"Yet, in response to these continued attacks on the Mi’kmaq Treaty Fishery by settlers and colonial governments alike, l’nu’k remain steadfast in their determination to exercise their Creator-given rights and responsibilities."

- Melkita'n

 

OFF THE RECORD


"Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their / tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, / listen to them. They are alive poems."

- Joy Harjo, "Remember" (1983)

 

First Peoples Law is the new editor of Annotated Aboriginal Law, 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.
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Your latest news and analysis of Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.
First Peoples Law 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 principal of First Peoples Law Corporation. 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, and is a Fulbright Scholar. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.