The University of Winnipeg and the Office of Indigenous Engagement are pleased to host a fireside chat and book signing with author Bruce McIvor on September 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Convocation Hall. He will discuss his latest book, Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation, with Sheila North, Executive Director, External Indigenous Relations and Special Initiatives. Following the talk, attendees are welcome to purchase books for signing.
A shortage of trustworthy information continues to frustrate Canadians with best intentions to fulfill Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. To meet this demand, lawyer and historian Bruce McIvor provides concise, plain answers to 100 essential questions being asked by Canadians across the country.
McIvor supplies the answers Canadians are looking for by scrapping the technical language that confuses the issues. Throughout, McIvor shares his perspective on why reconciliation as envisioned by the courts and Canadian governments frustrates Indigenous people and what needs to change to overcome the impasse. McIvor’s explanations of complex legal issues demonstrate a unique mix of a deep knowledge of the law, the ability to write clearly and concisely, practical experience on the frontlines of advocating for First Nations in courtrooms and at negotiation tables across the country, and a profound passion for justice rooted in his work and personal history.
“I’ve been living and breathing these issues for so long I sometimes forget how complicated they are,” said McIvor. “Writing the book reminded me of how the complexity is due to the workings of Canadian law. Indigenous people know who they are and what reconciliation requires—it’s the legal structures that have been imposed on them that have made it all so complicated.”
About Bruce McIvor
Bruce McIvor is the founder and senior partner at First Peoples Law LLP and an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law. He is the author of Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (2021). He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, and lives in Vancouver, BC.
The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Please register by September 25, 2025.
