July 30 - August 12, 2025

Bruce McIvor’s Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation is now available. Click here to download a free excerpt from the book. Click here to order your copy from an independent bookstore near you.

Upcoming Book Launch Events:

August 14 – Sechelt, BC

October 8 – Ottawa, ON

For further details, check out our list of events here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Our treaty is not red tape. Our rights are not red tape.
- Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Nishnawbe Aski Nation

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

In other words, we don’t need cellphones, the internet, or Facebook to show us how we are all connected; this place demonstrates this to us already. Wînipêk is a centre, a critical and creative expression—a song, story, and poem all at once—and an embodiment of how life thrives here, from past to the present to the future.
- Niigaan Sinclair, Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre (2024)

*Denotes an article that is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.

Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor provides the answers and context to support a thoughtful and respectful national conversation about reconciliation and the fulfillment of Canada’s commitment to a better future for Indigenous people.

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

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

Dr. Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is senior 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, Manitoba 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 two books on Indigenous rights: Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation (2025) and Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (2021). He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

CONNECT

July 30 - August 12, 2025

This week’s edition includes a landmark decision, treaty rights, emergency management, agriculture benefits settlements and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news included federal income assistance, Indigenous rights, international treaties, Bill C-5 and consultation

In BC, a landmark court decision, LNG projects and mining were the top stories

In the Yukon, legislative pushback, mining, and environmental remediation made headlines

Separation and treaty rights topped the news in Alberta

Saskatchewan headlines included agricultural benefits settlements and reintroduction of bison

In Manitoba, emergency management and budget cuts were the top stories

Land rights, economic development, environmental protection, and major projects legislation were front and center in Ontario

Forestry and federal funding cuts made headlines in Quebec

In Nova Scotia, cannabis and income assistance took the spotlight

FROM THE COURTS

The British Columbia Supreme Court delivered a landmark Aboriginal title decision for the Cowichan Tribes

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN ONE MINUTE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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