January 28 - February 3, 2026

What we’re seeing here in Alberta is disregard to our treaties. There’s not an understanding here of how Alberta became a province, and how a treaty had to happen before Alberta could become a province.
- Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

People have a right to think things will change. I allowed myself that much.
Terese Marie Mailhot, Heart Berries: A Memoir (2018)

2025 Scholarship Recipients

We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship. Congratulations to the winner Julie Albert, finalist Emily Sabourin, and honourable mention Joshua Gandier. Thank you to everyone who applied and we're looking forward to carrying it on again next year.

Meet the Recipients

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.

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

January 28 - February 3, 2026

This week’s edition includes Aboriginal title, environmental protection, self-governance, treaty rights and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news featured child welfare reform and a settlement claims process

In BC, environmental protection, residential school denialism, a land alienation lawsuit, Aboriginal title, and pipelines made headlines

Habitat protection was the top story in the Yukon

Northwest Territories headlines featured self-governance

Treaty rights and separatism were front and center in Alberta

Saskatchewan news highlighted a boarding school settlement

Decision-making was a top story in Nunavut

Infrastructure and economic development made the news in Ontario

In Nova Scotia, additions to reserve were the top story

FROM THE COURTS

The Federal Court of Appeal weighed in on salmon farming in BC

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

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