Know someone who would be a great fit for our team? First Peoples Law is hiring a mid-level lawyer to join our Ottawa office. Read more on our website @ buff.ly/rx987u0

"We need to know how and why this happened. But most importantly, we need to learn from it so it never happens again." Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, Chiefs of Ontario @ buff.ly/8ejGMTt

Chiefs of Ontario backs calls for public inquiry into wildfire response

The Chiefs of Ontario is backing calls from First Nation leaders to have a public inquiry into the province's response to the wildfires.

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"We are seeking justice for our people, for the people we lost — people have died, people have gotten sick — for the people who are suffering." Chief David Monias, Pimicikamak Cree Nation @ buff.ly/7eHOxUY

Pimicikamak Cree Nation proposes class action on Manitoba Hydro

Pimicikamak is proposing a class action lawsuit following damages caused by a 110-hour power outage that occurred almost seven months ago.

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We are seeking summer students committed to protecting and advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Applications for 2027 are now open until August 14. Apply @ buff.ly/cgODIaq

"Without immediate protection of critical habitat, future generations will inherit the consequences of decisions that governments had every opportunity to prevent. Canada must act now." Chief Clarence Louie, Tribal Chair, Okanagan Nation Alliance @ buff.ly/rMTfDT0

Canada must act to save caribou from local extinction: Syilx Okanagan Nation - Lake Country Calendar

The Syilx Okanagan Nation and scientists say habitat loss continues across the ranges of endangered caribou

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#ICYMI Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes wildfires, housing, energy sovereignty, food security, and more @ buff.ly/7um5Rdv

"We ... hear from our citizens that mental health and addictions support is a core priority. We have taken these needs seriously and are grateful for this new partnership to bring essential care into our territory." Chief Joe Miskokomon, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation @ buff.ly/TFBG7le

First Nation and health partner launch innovative addiction and mental health centre model

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, in partnership with Honos Health Ontario, is set to launch a pioneering 150-bed addiction and mental health treatment centre, calling it a significant step in…

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We're hiring! First Peoples Law is looking for a mid-level lawyer with 3-5 years of post-call experience in Ottawa. Read more on our website @ buff.ly/rx987u0

"Climate change is very real and continues to disproportionately affect First Nations. ... First Nations must have timely, culturally appropriate and effective emergency management supports." National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, AFN @ buff.ly/FkxjXOb

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Supports Call by First Nations Leadership for Public Inquiry into Ontario Wildfire Response - Assembly of First Nations

(July 24, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak issued the following statement today in response to the ongoing wildfire emergency affecting First…

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Applications for First Peoples Law’s annual $10,000 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship are open until July 31! Read more and apply @ buff.ly/JGlbB3D

“[The funding model] does not provide the resources our agencies need to keep children safe. It does not support prevention. It does not treat First Nations children equitably. Our families are paying the price.” Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Southern Chiefs Organization @ buff.ly/NRbOTIm

Funding of Manitoba’s CFS system to receive third-party review

The method of funding behind Manitoba's child and family services will get an external review following criticism from Indigenous leadership.

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"The lack of communication and evacuation support should horrify all Canadians, and our community was on its own." Chief Wilfred King, Gull Bay First Nation @ buff.ly/punZgrd

Scorched earth and debris left in wake of Ontario wildfire

Aerial photographs show debris where buildings stood in one First Nation ravaged by wildfire in northern Ontario. 180 wildfires are active.

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This week’s edition includes wildfires, housing, energy sovereignty, food security, and more @ buff.ly/Uf25LPw

"It’s been totally out of our control what’s happened on the land. For many people, it’s been very frustrating to have to watch and go through this." Amy Cardinal Christianson, PhD, Director of Fire Stewardship, Indigenous Leadership Initiative @ buff.ly/WP5YJws

Ottawa ignores Indigenous knowledge about wildfires: fire scientist

Métis fire scientist Amy Cardinal Christianson argues Indigenous communities are prevented from applying their knowledge of fire management.

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Applications for our Indigenous Law Student Scholarship are open until July 31! This $10,000 scholarship is awarded to an Indigenous law student with a demonstrated commitment to serving and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples. Learn more and apply @ buff.ly/JGlbB3D

"Right now, we’re dealing with aftermaths of a pipeline leak. ... Aamjiwnaang First Nation has already seen that many lines aren’t properly maintained." Chief Janelle Nahmabin, Aamjiwnaang First Nation @ buff.ly/t5PPv47

Aamjiwnaang First Nation worried about proposed Alberta to Ontario oil pipeline

Aamjiwnaang First Nation has had it’s share of environmental struggles. For decades the community has lived with toxic surroundings from Ontario's chemical valley, where roughly forty percent of…

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“It took too long to recognize the danger, too long to issue a clear direction and too long to order the evacuation." Chief Lawrence Wanakamik, Whitesand First Nation @ buff.ly/QtPH9Ga

First Nations leaders demand public inquiry into Ontario wildfire response

Ontario First Nations chiefs are demanding a public inquiry into the province's wildfire response, given what they called delayed evacuations, poor communication and widespread destruction of their…

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"This is a huge milestone in Blueberry’s journey toward restoring and healing the land across our traditional territory." Chief Sherry Dominic, Blueberry First Nations @ buff.ly/4U8JFrg

Blueberry First Nations orchard to help restore B.C. industry sites

A First Nation in B.C says its new native plant orchard could help reclaim and restore thousands of industrial sites around northeastern B.C.

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Applications for our summer student positions for 2027 are now open. Read more and apply @ buff.ly/cgODIaq

“Premier Ford hasn’t reached out to me, neither has Rickford, or even the Minister of Natural Resources. Nobody has reached out to us, and they’re the ones who are responsible.” Chief Wilfred King, Gull Bay First Nation @ buff.ly/YOfnFtn

Chiefs say government has had no communication with First Nations

Read the full story and comment on NWOnewswatch.com

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#ICYMI Check out our First Peoples Law Report! This week’s edition includes AFN resolutions, lawsuits, resource revenues, land protection, and more @ buff.ly/tkxujb2

“I personally don’t like going through the legal court system. I don’t really want to do it... But what other means do we have when we’re trying to get them to do the right thing?” Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin, Attawapiskat First Nation @ buff.ly/cwJDKAW

Attawapiskat First Nation sues over diesel contamination | The Narwhal

‘Enough is enough’: Attawapiskat First Nation is taking Ontario and Canada to court over remediation after decades of inaction

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First Peoples Law is hiring a mid-level lawyer at our Ottawa office! Check out the listing on our website @ buff.ly/rx987u0

"I'm not sparing anybody at this point because I'm angry now, and every day that goes by I become angrier because I'm hurting, my people are hurting and we have nowhere to go." Chief Helen Paavola, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation @ buff.ly/QIEjpfj

Fire-ravaged First Nations community accuses Ottawa of denying it federal aid

OTTAWA - A small First Nations community in Ontario that was burned to the ground by a raging wildfire on Monday is being deprived of the help it needs because

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This week’s edition includes AFN resolutions, lawsuits, resource revenues, land protection, and more @ buff.ly/7XJVuJj

“Treaty 8’s message to the Prime Minister was straightforward: if Canada is serious about nation-building, then Treaty Nations must be nation-building partners." Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta @ buff.ly/vpaZakR

Treaty 8 chiefs push Carney for share of resource revenues as Ottawa accelerates major projects

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising to put Indigenous partnerships at the centre of Canada's push...

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First Peoples Law is accepting applications for our $10,000 Indigenous Law Student Scholarship until July 31. Read more and apply @ buff.ly/JGlbB3D

“It’s a slap in the face, basically...I don’t think that was right for the province to say that to us and to our people, which were here many, many thousands and thousands of years.” Chief Eugene Hart, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation @ buff.ly/5vyS8ZM

AFN rejects 'discredited' theory of of Innu history in Labrador

The AFN has passed a motion on Tuesday denouncing what the Innu Nation says is the 'discredited and unscientific' theory of Innu history.

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“This is our land, these are our resources and they cannot be extracted at the expense of our people...We cannot be expected to absorb the colonial violence that is upon us right now, and then be told that we’re the problem.” Hereditary Chief Shana Thomas, Lyackson First Nation @ buff.ly/jYxECDp

Chiefs tell AFN it cannot negotiate on major projects on their behalf

On day two of the summer assembly of the AFN, chiefs voted to limit the AFN's role to advocacy only-and not negotiate on major projects.

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“Why is Canada, in 2026, coming up with its own plan and trying to shop that around when First Nations have worked together and have a really reasonable, economic, clear plan that’s going to benefit kids." Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, FN Child and Family Caring Society @ buff.ly/2OQjvqs

Canada ignoring First Nations child welfare plan: Caring Society

The Caring Society is questioning why the federal government is "shopping around" its own child welfare plan when a First Nations-led plan exists.

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