First Peoples Law LLP
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First Peoples Law is a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Sign up for our weekly Law Report: https://www.firstpeopleslaw.com/public-education
"Our goal is to enable the government of Quebec to fully understand the challenges faced by our youth in education and also to help identify collaborative solutions on these issues." Denis Gros-Louis, Director General, First Nations Education Council @ buff.ly/N9yUXuC
Quebec forum on First Nations education held without government
Quebec forum on Indigenous education proceeds without government, which canceled the gathering after a member filed a judicial review
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February 18, 2026 at 9:00 PM
"Our goal is to enable the government of Quebec to fully understand the challenges faced by our youth in education and also to help identify collaborative solutions on these issues." Denis Gros-Louis, Director General, First Nations Education Council @ buff.ly/N9yUXuC
"[N]ever again will our basic energy security and public safety be at the mercy of Manitoba Hydro's lack of response." Chief Gordie Bear, Mathias Colomb First Nation @ buff.ly/SHRgd8f
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February 18, 2026 at 7:10 PM
"[N]ever again will our basic energy security and public safety be at the mercy of Manitoba Hydro's lack of response." Chief Gordie Bear, Mathias Colomb First Nation @ buff.ly/SHRgd8f
"We need funding to make sure things like this do not happen again in our community." Chief Donny Morris, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug @ buff.ly/keURlVh
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February 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"We need funding to make sure things like this do not happen again in our community." Chief Donny Morris, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug @ buff.ly/keURlVh
"We want to be at the table. We want a piece of the project, an opportunity to have oversight, to have a say." Chief Sheri Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation @ bit.ly/4ttPdQM
Rights-holders, not stakeholders: Indigenous groups prepare for new era of project equity
The federal government’s prioritization of projects with Indigenous co-owners is set to shape the major projects agenda.
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February 17, 2026 at 4:02 PM
"We want to be at the table. We want a piece of the project, an opportunity to have oversight, to have a say." Chief Sheri Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation @ bit.ly/4ttPdQM
"This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to seeing this mine become a reality and solidifies our active participation in economic opportunities within the region." Chief Duncan Michano, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg @ buff.ly/3QTaPAV
North shore First Nation invests in copper, palladium mine project
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg becomes a partner in Generation Mining's Marathon project
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February 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
"This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to seeing this mine become a reality and solidifies our active participation in economic opportunities within the region." Chief Duncan Michano, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg @ buff.ly/3QTaPAV
“I think it’s one of those situations where the train has already left the platform…The project’s already started and these regional assessments, whatever they may be at this point, may not carry much weight.” Lawrence Martin, Director of Lands and Resources, Mushkegowuk Council @ buff.ly/jbTB0Iz
First Nations co-led Ring of Fire study calls for immediate environmental monitoring | The Narwhal
Former Mushkegowuk Grand Chief hopes environment and health-related recommendations are met, despite Ontario’s June construction start
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February 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
“I think it’s one of those situations where the train has already left the platform…The project’s already started and these regional assessments, whatever they may be at this point, may not carry much weight.” Lawrence Martin, Director of Lands and Resources, Mushkegowuk Council @ buff.ly/jbTB0Iz
"[Bill] C-10 offers a path forward for Canada by ensuring that modern treaties are implemented as they were intended." Chief Councillor John Jack, Huu-ay-aht First Nations @ buff.ly/2N3k3ZN
Legislation to create modern treaty commission moves to committee
C-10 - federal legislation to create a modern treaty commissioner - moved to the committee stage on Tuesday in Ottawa.
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February 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
"[Bill] C-10 offers a path forward for Canada by ensuring that modern treaties are implemented as they were intended." Chief Councillor John Jack, Huu-ay-aht First Nations @ buff.ly/2N3k3ZN
"It's affected us because there's less fishing, less commercial fishing, less trapping, your families aren't going out, and what I believe in is that the land grounds people and it bonds families together." Elder Edwin Jebb, Opaskwayak Cree Nation @ buff.ly/dAhBNa0
Manitoba First Nation takes Ottawa to court over 'massive impact' to ways of life after hydro dam in 1960s | CBC News
A trial between Opaskwayak Cree Nation and the federal government got underway on Monday in Winnipeg with testimony from elders about how a hydro dam installed on the Saskatchewan River in Grand Rapids...
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February 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
"It's affected us because there's less fishing, less commercial fishing, less trapping, your families aren't going out, and what I believe in is that the land grounds people and it bonds families together." Elder Edwin Jebb, Opaskwayak Cree Nation @ buff.ly/dAhBNa0
"(The Yukon Party government) chose a path forward that we’re not going to stand down from. We’re not going to let them go ahead and say, ‘Oh, well, all this work that you’ve participated in is all for nothing.’" Chief Pauline Frost, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation @ buff.ly/UuqcrIR
Yukon First Nations slam territorial government pause on health authority
A Yukon chief is blasting the territorial government’s plans to hit pause on the development of a health authority and is demanding it reverse its decision.
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February 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM
"(The Yukon Party government) chose a path forward that we’re not going to stand down from. We’re not going to let them go ahead and say, ‘Oh, well, all this work that you’ve participated in is all for nothing.’" Chief Pauline Frost, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation @ buff.ly/UuqcrIR
“Public safety is not a policy file. It is whether a mother comes home. It is whether a daughter is protected. It is whether…another family must bury someone they love.” Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Chair, National Family and Survivors Circle @ buff.ly/s4bH1mJ
Global crises can’t sideline MMIWG, says Survivors Circle chair
Six years after the MMIWG inquiry, the federal tracker shows 138 Calls for Justice are underway, 82 are pending, and only two are complete
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February 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
“Public safety is not a policy file. It is whether a mother comes home. It is whether a daughter is protected. It is whether…another family must bury someone they love.” Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Chair, National Family and Survivors Circle @ buff.ly/s4bH1mJ
Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes additions to reserve, environmental reclamation, major projects, mining and more @ buff.ly/CjYK0Wi
First Peoples Law Report for February 10th
Your weekly Indigenous rights update from First Peoples Law.
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February 12, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes additions to reserve, environmental reclamation, major projects, mining and more @ buff.ly/CjYK0Wi
“This project is about more than housing — it’s about creating opportunity and strengthening our community." lhe hiwus (Chief) yalxwemult Lenora Joe, shíshálh Nation @ buff.ly/Xv2DQyg
First Nations members on Sunshine Coast move into homes relocated from Port Moody
The shíshálh Nation in Sechelt is celebrating the completion of a project that saw 10 homes from Port Moody transported by barge to the community.
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February 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM
“This project is about more than housing — it’s about creating opportunity and strengthening our community." lhe hiwus (Chief) yalxwemult Lenora Joe, shíshálh Nation @ buff.ly/Xv2DQyg
“Inuit continue to see Nunavut’s economy as structurally constrained and externally controlled." Richard Paton, Assistant Executive Director of Marine and Wildlife Conservation, Qikiqtani Inuit Association @ buff.ly/GMv0CFg
DFO pits Nunavumiut against Mi'kmaw in fishing licence decision
DFO Minister Joanne Thompson is in the process of deciding whether fishing licences will stay with Mi'kmaq consortium or Nunavummiut.
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February 11, 2026 at 8:04 PM
“Inuit continue to see Nunavut’s economy as structurally constrained and externally controlled." Richard Paton, Assistant Executive Director of Marine and Wildlife Conservation, Qikiqtani Inuit Association @ buff.ly/GMv0CFg
“Ultimately, we all understand that we need power...But it can’t come at the cost of our environment, or our fish, our wildlife, our culture.” Chief Dawna Hope, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun @ buff.ly/vbn3TlC
Inside the public hearing that could mean sweeping change for a Yukon hydro dam | CBC News
Yukon Energy wants to relicense the 75-year-old dam. First, it needs the go-ahead from the Yukon Water Board, which recently hosted a week-long hearing in Whitehorse. The corporation made its case to...
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February 11, 2026 at 5:01 PM
“Ultimately, we all understand that we need power...But it can’t come at the cost of our environment, or our fish, our wildlife, our culture.” Chief Dawna Hope, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun @ buff.ly/vbn3TlC
"From posts and comments on social media, to remarks made by fellow shoppers in local stores, to being shouted at from passing vehicles, the negativity directed at our citizens is unfounded and wrong." Chief Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes @ buff.ly/XRL6OIH
Leaders in B.C. release joint statement condemning anti-Indigenous racism | CBC News
Leaders in the Cowichan Valley region of Vancouver Island have released a statement against anti-Indigenous racism, saying they've seen a spike in the region.
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February 10, 2026 at 10:01 PM
"From posts and comments on social media, to remarks made by fellow shoppers in local stores, to being shouted at from passing vehicles, the negativity directed at our citizens is unfounded and wrong." Chief Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes @ buff.ly/XRL6OIH
“It’s been hard to try to figure out where we fit when the partnership seemingly hasn’t changed on the surface, but structurally many pieces that were essential to the maintaining of the relationship were swapped." Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami @ buff.ly/dJ1P1BI
ITK leader says Inuit not sure where they fit into Carney's agenda
ITK president Natan Obed compares working with Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to being a contestant on the TV show "Dragons' Den."
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February 10, 2026 at 6:01 PM
“It’s been hard to try to figure out where we fit when the partnership seemingly hasn’t changed on the surface, but structurally many pieces that were essential to the maintaining of the relationship were swapped." Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami @ buff.ly/dJ1P1BI
This week’s edition includes additions to reserve, environmental reclamation, major projects, mining and more @ buff.ly/CjYK0Wi
First Peoples Law Report for February 10th
Your weekly Indigenous rights update from First Peoples Law.
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February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
This week’s edition includes additions to reserve, environmental reclamation, major projects, mining and more @ buff.ly/CjYK0Wi
"Bill 5’s removal of the requirement for an environmental assessment of the proposed Dresden Landfill is a direct threat to my community’s wellbeing and our ability to continue to practise our way of life." Chief Leela Thomas, Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) @ buff.ly/tw5evsm
5 more First Nations join legal challenge against Bill 5 and C-5 | CBC News
Five more First Nations have joined a court challenge against new federal and provincial laws aimed at fast-tracking development saying they threaten Indigenous rights.
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February 9, 2026 at 9:01 PM
"Bill 5’s removal of the requirement for an environmental assessment of the proposed Dresden Landfill is a direct threat to my community’s wellbeing and our ability to continue to practise our way of life." Chief Leela Thomas, Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) @ buff.ly/tw5evsm
"The water levels are getting lower and lower and we think that it's all an effect of the artificial islands." Chief Shawn Grandjambe, Fort Good Hope @ buff.ly/NITcaZv
'We want them gone': Imperial Oil's artificial islands at Norman Wells should be part of clean up, chief says | CBC News
A community downstream from Norman Wells, N.W.T., says it wants to see Imperial Oil destroy several artificial islands the company built decades ago for oil wells on the Mackenzie River.
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February 9, 2026 at 4:03 PM
"The water levels are getting lower and lower and we think that it's all an effect of the artificial islands." Chief Shawn Grandjambe, Fort Good Hope @ buff.ly/NITcaZv
"Placer mining is an important part of the Dawson City economy and many of our citizens work in the industry. But mineral activities within our Traditional Territory cannot come at the expense of our treaty rights and interests." Hähkè Darren Taylor, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government @ buff.ly/3Ao6CzU
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in sues Yukon government over extension of mining permits
Whitehorse, YT - The Tr'ondk Hwch'in First Nation is taking the Yukon government to court over changes to plac...
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February 8, 2026 at 6:01 PM
"Placer mining is an important part of the Dawson City economy and many of our citizens work in the industry. But mineral activities within our Traditional Territory cannot come at the expense of our treaty rights and interests." Hähkè Darren Taylor, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government @ buff.ly/3Ao6CzU
"That's where we go to heal, that’s where we go for hunting, that's where we go to practise our treaty rights and Ke Maah, that's where we do it all." Brittany Brinkworth, Councillor, Doig River First Nation @ buff.ly/he7Qw3V
Doig River First Nation to develop land use plan with B.C., using Indigenous knowledge and Western science | CBC News
Doig River First Nation is developing a joint land use plan with the province to help guide resource development, support land restoration and protect important areas, including K’ih Tsaa?dze Tribal...
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February 7, 2026 at 7:01 PM
"That's where we go to heal, that’s where we go for hunting, that's where we go to practise our treaty rights and Ke Maah, that's where we do it all." Brittany Brinkworth, Councillor, Doig River First Nation @ buff.ly/he7Qw3V
"We can be stronger together in rural Ontario by working together with our Nations and our municipalities." Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, Anishinabek Nation @ buff.ly/NhcOvWy
Chiefs discuss relationships with municipalities at Toronto conference – Anishinabek News
By Sam Laskaris
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February 6, 2026 at 8:02 PM
"We can be stronger together in rural Ontario by working together with our Nations and our municipalities." Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, Anishinabek Nation @ buff.ly/NhcOvWy
“It’s important to make these decisions really thoughtfully, because with some of these projects there is a downside...And I think that’s why many First Nations are concerned." Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations @ buff.ly/7a7V5Ju
Northern B.C. First Nations, advocates worry about environmental impacts of Yukon-BC grid connect | CBC News
Proponents say the Yukon-B.C. grid connect project could bring $7.6 billion a year in economic growth, create 36,000 jobs and help electrify six diesel communities. But some northern B.C. First Nations...
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February 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
“It’s important to make these decisions really thoughtfully, because with some of these projects there is a downside...And I think that’s why many First Nations are concerned." Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations @ buff.ly/7a7V5Ju
#ICYMI Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes Aboriginal title, environmental protection, self-governance, treaty rights and more @ buff.ly/aJFttKv
First Peoples Law Report for February 3rd
Your weekly Indigenous rights update from First Peoples Law.
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February 5, 2026 at 11:01 PM
#ICYMI Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes Aboriginal title, environmental protection, self-governance, treaty rights and more @ buff.ly/aJFttKv
"This partnership strengthens how we support First Nations as they navigate increasingly complex resource development environments." Sheldon Wuttunnee, CEO, Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence @ buff.ly/fGKPir5
New partnership supports Indigenous-led natural resource development
A new freshly signed partnership promises to help strengthen support for Indigenous-led natural resource and c...
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February 5, 2026 at 5:02 PM
"This partnership strengthens how we support First Nations as they navigate increasingly complex resource development environments." Sheldon Wuttunnee, CEO, Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence @ buff.ly/fGKPir5