Nov 16-22, 2020

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week's edition includes UNDRIP, Treaty rights, Charter rights, consultation, Arctic drilling, decolonizing the justice system and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


COVID-19 continues to top headlines across the country

 

 

Treaty rights remain front and centre in Mi'kma'ki

 

 

Treaty boundaries and the Marriage Act were hot topics in Ontario

 

 

St. Anne's Residential School survivors’ legal battle continues

 

 

In Quebec, systemic racism and health care were back in the spotlight

 

 

Yukon and NWT news included UNDRIP, consultation and Arctic drilling

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Federal Court struck a Charter claim brought by two Wet’suwet’en House groups regarding climate change

 

 

In case you missed it, check out my colleague Angela D'Elia Decembrini's case comment highlighting calls to decolonize the justice system

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


"It is hard to adequately convey the level of disrespect felt and offence taken when we read about those, including current members of Parliament, trying to thwart our constitutionally protected rights by making irresponsible assertions under the pretence of unfounded conservation arguments.”

- Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


"Denial is the heartbeat of racism, beating across ideologies, races, and nations."

- Ibram X. Kendi, How to be an Antiracist (2019)

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.
Check out our latest podcast episode "Reclaiming the Law: Indigenous Law Students in Conversation."
My colleague Kate Gunn and I recently had the honour of representing the Indigenous Bar Association on their intervention in the Desautel appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada. Check out my blog post on our submissions, including a video recording.
Check out our latest e-book Reconciliation on Trial: Wet'suwet'en, Aboriginal Title and the Rule of Law.
Looking to learn more about Indigenous rights in Canada?
Your weekly news update from First Peoples Law.
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. Bruce is a proud Métis from the Red River in Manitoba. He holds a Ph.D. in Aboriginal and environmental history and is a Fulbright Scholar. 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.