This week’s edition includes child welfare reform, National Ribbon Skirt Day, land stewardship, caribou protection and more.
IN THE NEWS
National news included a look ahead to 2026, residential school denialism, clean water legislation, child welfare reform, and National Ribbon Skirt Day
Some of 2025’s big stories in Indigenous politics could heat up in 2026 | CBC News
Federal government won’t say whether it will criminalize residential school denials | The Globe and Mail*
Minister not promising source water protection in a new First Nations clean water bill | Canada's National Observer
National Chief affirms support for NCCC child-welfare reform plan | APTN News
Ribbon Skirt Day leader reflects on changes since her cultural attire was shamed | CBC News
BC news featured a review of major court decisions, DRIPA, a court challenge and housing
A consequential year for Aboriginal law in British Columbia | The Globe and Mail*
First Nations caution against changing B.C. Indigenous rights law | APTN News
Tsay Keh Dene wants provincial policy struck down | Prince George Citizen
When a house is more than a house: project takes aim at housing crisis | Vancouver Sun
The Canada-Alberta pipeline MOU and a renewed separation referendum continue to make headlines in Alberta
Cold Lake First Nations says proposed energy MOU sidelines Indigenous decision-making | Lakeland News
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation moves to block Alberta separatist petition in court | Global News
Treaty rights and a lawsuit topped the news in Manitoba
Toxic spill from northern paper mill generates lawsuit from second First Nation | Winnipeg Free Press
In Ontario, resource development concerns, youth-led resistance, and economic collaboration were top stories
Respect our rights when developing Ontario's minerals: First Nations | Sudbury Star
A year of resistance: How Indigenous youth shaped the fight against Bills 5 and C-5 | TimminsToday.com
Chief Miskokomon calls for stronger economic ties with London, surrounding community | CTV News
Quebec headlines featured caribou protection
Cree Nation Government calls for restraint in caribou hunt | APTN News
Mining was the top story in New Brunswick
'We were kind of duped' on the Sisson mine, says Indigenous leader | Telegraph-Journal*
*Denotes an article that is paywalled and may require a subscription to access.
2025 INDIGENOUS RIGHTS YEAR IN REVIEW
First Peoples Law released our annual Year in Review. In 2025, Indigenous Peoples continued their fight in and out of the courts to defend their rights and lands, hold the Crown to its constitutional obligations, and advocate against discrimination.
Check out our blog post to read the full Year in Review.
2025 Indigenous Rights Year in Review
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
We emphasize that any development must be grounded in free, prior, and informed consent, ensuring that First Nations have a voice in decisions affecting their lands and livelihoods.
- Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, Anishinabek Nation
OFF THE BOOKSHELF
These days, I choose to face life head-on—and I have become a comet. I arc across the sky of my life and the hard times are the friction that shaves off the worn and tired bits. The more I travel head-on, the more I am shaped, and the things that no longer work or are unnecessary drop away.
Richard Wagamese, Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations (2016)
