June 7-13, 2021

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes court challenges, calls to action, law enforcement, logging, fishing rights, self-determination and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Indigenous rights, law enforcement and logging were back in BC news

 

 

Treaty rights and consultation took centre stage in Saskatchewan

 

 

Self-determination was in the spotlight in the NWT

 

 

Fishing rights remain front and centre on the east coast

 

 

National news included court challenges and calls to action

 

 

Pipelines and Treaty rights returned to headlines north and south of the 49th

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court of Appeal weighed in on membership

 

 

A US appeals court ruled on treaty rights and reservation boundaries

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


Catch First Peoples Law’s Angela D’Elia Decembrini speaking about Indigenous enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions at this health law panel on June 17 at 12pm pacific

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“Colonization is not a dark chapter in Canadian history. It is a book that the federal institution continues to write.”

- Mumilaaq Qaqqaq

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“...the truly cultured are capable of owning thousands of unread books without losing their composure or their desire for more.”

- Gabriel Zaid, So Many Books (2003)

 

As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, First Peoples Law offers an annual $5,000 scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Deadline: July 31, 2021.
In light of the recent announcement by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, 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.
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.
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.
Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights!
Check out our free e-book Reconciliation on Trial: Wet'suwet'en, Aboriginal Title and the Rule of Law.
Your weekly news update on 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.