December 4 - 10, 2024

[T]hey can't just come to our land and [do] whatever they want. You come see us if you want to do work in our backyard.
- Charles McNeely, Chairperson for Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

There was love in that house, but none of us really knew what to do with it.
- Amanda Peters, The Berry Pickers (2023)

Join our Team!

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

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Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada 2024

First Peoples Law is the author of Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada: Cases and Commentary. 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.

AVAILABLE HERE

Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.

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Standoff

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.

Residential School Reading List

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.

READING LIST

First Peoples Lawcast

Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.

LISTEN HERE

First Peoples Law Report

Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.

Who We Are

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.

CHAT WITH US

Bruce McIvor

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.

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December 4 - 10, 2024

This week’s edition includes the AFN Assembly, environmental protection, treaty rights, self-determination and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news included Artic foreign policy and highlights from the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly

Youth mental health was the top story in the Maritimes

Consultation and a court action made headlines in Quebec

In Ontario, human rights and carbon tax revenue made the news

Manitoba’s top stories featured treaty rights and Jordan’s Principle

Self-government negotiations and land protection topped headlines in the North

Alberta news focused on environmental contamination and the Impact Assessment Act

An environmental spill, and resource extraction projects made headlines in BC

CLIENTS IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to our client, K’ómoks First Nation, on this historic milestone in self-determination and law enforcement

We are honoured to work with the K'ahsho Got'ine Committee on this precedent- setting decision and the ongoing protection of their treaty rights

FROM THE COURTS

The BC Court of Appeal weighed in on overlapping Aboriginal title claims

The Ontario Court of Appeal weighed in on treaty promises and land rights. Check out our blog post on the lower court decision.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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