January 31 - February 6, 2024

This week’s edition includes consultation, conservation, human rights, mining and more.

IN THE NEWS

National news featured calls for a national Indigenous fire strategy, policing, Métis rights and more

Calls for accountability, national Indigenous fire strategy after fatal house fire in Peawanuck | CBC News

National chief calls on Ottawa to resume policing talks after mass stabbing inquest | City News

Métis National Council president airs frustrations after Liberal ministers meeting | CBC News

This pristine Canadian river has legal personhood, a new approach to conserving nature | CBC Documentaries

Consultation across international boundaries topped news in the North

Alaskan tribes seek standing in Eskay Creek mine review | Business in Vancouver

Wildlife conservation was in the spotlight in BC

This B.C. bighorn sheep herd’s fight for survival | The Narwhal

Human rights topped headlines in Alberta

Advocates Call for Police to Drop Charges Against Indigenous Reporter | The Tyee

Fire protection and mitigation were front and centre in Saskatchewan

Prince Albert Grand Council sounds alarm on wildfire season, urges early mitigation measures | CBC News

Manitoba news highlighted conservation and transportation

How four Manitoba First Nations are protecting one of the world’s remaining wild watersheds | Canadian Geographic

All season road needed in Manitoba say chiefs | APTN News

Ontario headlines featured community services, mining and emergency management

First Nations mull legal action, plan protests over Ontario's online mining claims system | CBC News

Mushkegowuk investing millions to respond to illegal drug, alcohol crisis | Timmins News

Kashechewan taking new path for evacuations | Timmins News

FROM THE COURTS

The Alberta Court of Appeal weighed in on the honour of the Crown and the duty to negotiate

Métis Nation of Alberta Association v Alberta (Indigenous Relations), 2024 ABCA 40

The BC Supreme Court dismissed an application from the Nisga’a Nation to be added as a defendant in Gitanyow’s Aboriginal title and rights action

Malii v British Columbia, 2024 BCSC 85

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

This land does not belong to us – we belong to the land.
- Kúkpi7 Darrell Draney, Skeetchestn

OFF THE BOOKSHELF

He sounded like a lot of the youth in our community, stuck between the past and the future. The true goal is finding enough of both to make your life worth living.
- Drew Hayden Taylor, Take Us to Your Chief and Other Stories (2016)

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Indigenous Peoples and the Law in Canada 2023

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

Indigenous Rights in One Minute

Bruce McIvor's clear, plain answers to frequently asked questions about Indigenous rights.

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Standoff

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.

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.

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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

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.

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