This week’s edition includes Indigenous trailblazers, Métis rights, child welfare, land conservation and more.
IN THE NEWS
National stories included over-incarceration, data sovereignty, Indigenous trailblazers and human rights
Why are Indigenous people over-incarcerated in Canada? | TVO
Families should decide who has access to residential school records conference hears | APTN News
Blazing the trail: Indigenous legal firsts in Canadian history | CBC News
Human Rights Tribunal case continues for Two-Spirit person | APTN News
Result in sight for long-delayed water law | National Observer*
BC news featured Métis rights, fishing rights, pipelines and land conservation
Concerns about assertion of Métis rights on the BC coast discussed at fisheries forum | Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper
North Coast FN takes DFO to court over proposed fishing restrictions | Vernon Morning Star
A ghost pipeline rears up in northern B.C. | National Observer*
Large new B.C. provincial park created with First Nations | The Narwhal
The resolution of a blockade and Indigenous heritage management were top stories in Alberta
Following First Nation blockade, Woodland Cree and Obsidian Energy come to terms | CBC News
Alberta First Nation working to protect, gain more control over historical resources on lands | CBC News
The child welfare system and the Interlake flood channel project made headlines in Manitoba
'Staggering' rate of First Nations newborns involved in Manitoba child welfare system: study | CBC News
First Nations leaders hope new report on effects of Interlake flood channel leads to review of project | CBC News
Indigenous leaders call for reset on flood project | Winnipeg Free Press
Ontario headlines included treaties, land rights and nuclear waste
North America's 1st treaty agreements were recorded in wampum belts | CBC News
Municipality appealing $1.67M judgement in Sauble Beach boundary dispute with First Nation | CBC News
Tensions with First Nations threaten to delay nuclear waste facility | The Globe and Mail*
Indigenous legal trust backs NSDF challenge | North Renfrew Times
In Québec, language requirements were the top story
Indigenous students speak out about Bill 96 Cegep requirements | CBC News
On the East coast, fishing, racism, land conservation and cannabis made the news
DFO considers cuts to commercial elver quotas to boost First Nations access | CBC News
‘Nothing about us without us’: Mi’gmaq group still waiting for Indigenous-led inquiry into systemic racism | NB Media Co-op
South coast fjords could soon be protected marine area, Miawpukek First Nation says | CBC News
Nova Scotia judge rejects constitutional arguments for Indigenous cannabis shops | CityNews
In case you missed it, check out our new blog series, What We're Watching, featuring great books, podcasts, films and music by Indigenous writers and artists
What We're Watching: Summer Edition | First Peoples Law LLP
FROM THE COURTS
In two decisions, the Federal Court weighed in on the duty to consult.
We Wai Kai Nation v. Canada (Fisheries, Oceans and Coast Guard), 2024 FC 876
As reported last week,Court rejects bid to review minister's order to B.C. salmon farms | CBC News
Innu Nation Inc. v. Canada (Crown-Indigenous Relations), 2024 FC 896
Innu Nation, NCC both claim victory after Federal Court ruling | ATPN News
The Federal court also weighed in on Indigenous decision-making authority in the context of membership.
Way v. Nunatsiavut Government, 2024 FC 886
ARTICLE WITH FIRST PEOPLES LAW
Applications for our 2025-2026 articling program are now open. We are seeking articling students for our Vancouver and Ottawa offices. Learn more and apply here.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Any child is a gift, and I think that they need to find their roots, find their family, and look for their identity and who they belong to."
- Sherry Gott, Manitoba advocate for children and youth
OFF THE BOOKSHELF
Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined."
- Toni Morrison, Beloved (1987)
*Article is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.
