Aboriginal Law

• Advise on First Nation band governance;

• Legal support to assert self-government and inherent jurisdiction;

• Draft and implement First Nation laws, constitutions, and governance codes;

• Internal policy development, including on membership, housing, governance, and conflicts of interest;

• Draft custom election codes, band membership codes, and land codes; and

• Indian Act registration (status).

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• Negotiate, draft, and implement Government-to-Government Agreements, including:

  • Memorandums of Understanding;

  • Recognition of rights and reconciliation agreements;

  • Shared decision-making agreements;

  • Resource sharing agreements;

  • Land, water, and resource access agreements; and

  • Agreements for local services including water and wastewater supply, fire, and emergency response.

• Legal support for First Nation owned entities such as economic development corporations, societies, and partnerships;

• Advise on corporate structuring and governance;

• Develop commercial contracts and agreements;

• Advise on Indigenous economic participation in forestry, mining, and natural resource projects including negotiating benefit agreements and consent frameworks;

• Reserve land leases and permits

• Legal support to assert and protect Aboriginal and treaty rights;

• Advise on environmental assessments and regulatory processes;

• Advise on government referrals, Crown consultation, and the duty to consult;

• Draft Indigenous consultation and engagement protocols;

• Negotiate and draft impact benefit agreements; and

• UNDRIP implementation and the development of new legislation in compliance with UNDRIP;

• Assist with the development and enforcement of Indian Act by-laws;

• Develop and implement Land Codes, including assistance with community engagement and ratification processes;

• Develop Land Code laws and regulations;

• Land Code review and amendments;

• Advise on drinking water rights and support for on reserve drinking and wastewater infrastructure; 

• Additions to Reserve (ATR) processes and negotiations; and

• Negotiate and draft service agreements for utilities and infrastructure access.

• Legal support for identifying, developing, filing, and negotiating specific claims with the Specific Claims Branch;

• Apply for research and negotiation funding;

• Assess strength of claims;

• Develop and submit claims;

• Negotiate settlements for accepted claims;

• Implement claim settlements; and

• Liaise with experts, such as historians and archaeologists.