May 16-22, 2022

By Bruce McIvor and Cody O'Neil

This week’s edition includes language rights, Treaty rights, Charter rights, child welfare, judicial diversity and more.

 

IN THE NEWS


Treaty rights returned to east coast headlines 

 

 

Language rights and caribou remain in the spotlight in Quebec 

 

 

Language rights were also front and centre in Manitoba 

 

 

Our client Shoal Lake #40 First Nation has been recognized for their wonderful success 

 

 

Lastly, judicial diversity was back in national news 

 

 

FROM THE COURTS


The Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench weighed in on Charter rights and child welfare

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


I’m looking forward to speaking at the “Current and Emerging Issues” conference next month hosted by the Federation of Community Social Services of BC in Penticton.

I'm honoured that my book, Standoff, is the central text for Osgoode Hall Law School's "In Search of Reconciliation Through Dispute Resolution." I'm looking forward to speaking to the class on July 19th. Learn more here.

 

COMING SOON: 2022 INDIGENOUS LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP


As part of our commitment to supporting the development of Indigenous lawyers, we are offering a $10,000 scholarship to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Meet past recipients here and stay tuned for the application on our website on June 1st.
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“This ruling has been a long time coming. It is one step toward holding Manitoba accountable for its actions that specifically target First Nations children. Our children are sacred, and we will continue to advocate and continue challenging these systems that have failed our families and children."

- Chief David Monias, Pimicikamak Cree Nation 

 

OFF THE BOOKSHELF


“Decolonization is about realizing that we have power to take back what is rightfully ours and ensure a future for our future generations.” 

- Dr. Pam Palmater, “Decolonization is taking back our power” in Whose Land is it Anyway? (2017)

Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.
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.
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.
Check out our podcast featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights.
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.
Your weekly news update on Indigenous rights from First Peoples Law.
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.
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.