By Bruce McIvor and Carlie Kane
This week’s edition includes systemic racism, treaty rights, policing, consultation and more.

Beaded Poppy, image by Carlie Kane
Indigenous Veterans Day is on November 8th. This day honours First Nation, Métis and Inuit soldiers and veterans, and their long, distinguished legacy of serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. To learn more about the experiences of Indigenous veterans of the World War I & II and the Korean War, check out Nate Gaffney and Desmond Simon's documentary, Indian Braves, on CBC Gem here.
IN THE NEWS
National news included discrimination and Métis self-governance
Métis presidents urge standing committee to pass Bill C-53 without amendments | MBC Radio
First Nations appearing at standing committee come out hard against Métis self-governance legislation | Windspeaker.com
Proposed legislation to amend the Indian Act continues discrimination it’s designed to end, say MPs I Windspeaker.com
Policing was in the spotlight in Quebec
'Chronic underfunding': 22 Quebec Indigenous police forces file rights complaint | CityNews Toronto
Ontario news included Métis rights, the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement agreement and healthcare
Saugeen Ojibway Nation raises concerns about Metis rights in territory | Owen Sound Sun Times
BREAKING: $10B RHT annuities settlement approved | Sault Ste. Marie News
Colonialism remains a health risk, MPP says | The Daily Press
Treaty rights were front and centre in Manitoba
Pine Creek First Nation reaches $200 million treaty settlement | Winnipeg Sun
Alberta headlines included harvesting rights and systemic racism
Indigenous group calls for access to Jasper National Park, saying they were evicted | CBC News
'Times have changed': Indigenous harvest brings two nations together | Fitz Hugh
Indigenous staff press ahead with discrimination lawsuit against on-reserve oil and gas agency | CBC News
Consultation, conservation, the corrections system and UNDRIP topped BC news
Forest range licence renewed without consultation, First Nation says | New West Record
B.C. just signed a ‘historic’ $1B nature agreement | The Narwhal
B.C. First Nations call for desperate, urgent changes to Canada’s corrections system | The Free Press
First Nations leaders voice frustration over slow pace of change since B.C. passed UNDRIP-based rights act | CBC News
FROM THE COURTS
The Federal Court issued an elections decision.
Tallman v. Whitefish Lake First Nation #459, 2023 FC 1411 (CanLII)
The Quebec Superior Court weighed in on treaty rights and the Covenant Chain, and outlined a new test for Aboriginal rights.
R. c. Montour, 2023 QCCS 4154 (CanLII)
Quebec judge rules Kanien'kehá:ka have treaty rights to trade tobacco | CBC News
CASES TO WATCH
Tune in live to watch the Restoule appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada starting today. The hearing will take place November 7-8 starting at 9:30am ET. You can watch the hearing live on the Court’s website here.
Check out Kate Gunn and Cody O’Neil's backgrounder on this important litigation and its implications for First Nations defending and advancing their Treaty rights across the country.
Treaty Rights at the Supreme Court of Canada: Restoule Appeal | Kate Gunn and Cody O’Neil | First Peoples Law LLP
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
We have long known that the justice system, and the corrections system, are in desperate and urgent need of fundamental transformation. Too many reports, year after year, have shed light on this fact without accountability for decisive action and tangible change.
- Terry Teegee, Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations
OFF THE BOOKSHELF
Indigenous Women have a powerful role to play in the movement for justice and reconciliation. It is their voices that must be heard, their experiences that must be acknowledged, their leadership that must be respected and honoured.
- Tanya Talaga, All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward (2018)
SEE YOU SOON
We are taking next week off in light of the upcoming statutory holiday. You'll receive the next First Peoples Law Report on November 21st.