Our Clients

Our clients retain us to provide them with solutions that better the community, make a difference for the people and protects the land. We work with our clients to provide creative and innovative solutions grounded in our clients aspirations and perspectives. We offer strategic advice in assisting our clients create further their self-government and in bringing challenges to Canadian laws and decisions that fail to accommodate their unique history and rights. We understand that our clients expect quality legal advice, predictable prices, personal service, an excellent knowledge of Aboriginal law and always with a collaborative and team approach.

In Opaskwayak Cree Nation v. Canada the firm is currently involved in a federal court action regarding the Aboriginal right to control their identity and its infringement by the definition of Indian in the Indian Act. We have acted for First Nations in procedural motions in Wuskwi Sipihk Cree Nation v. Canada regarding federal and provincial court jurisdiction and the medicine chest treaty clause and health care on reserve, and in Bunibonibee Cree Nation v. Manitoba in 2006 regarding a challenge to Provincial government action regarding land use permits on treaty land entitlement lands. We have intervened in court proceedings for First Nations including McDiarmid Lumber v. God’s Lake First Nation in the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006 regarding the exemption from the seizure of First Nations property in section 89 of the Indian Act, in R. v. Jenkinson in the Manitoba Court of Appeal in 2006. We were also counsel in a court appointed receivership of a First Nation in 2008.

We have also undertaken projects for First Nations ranging from large scale commercial real estate, and advised First Nations Chiefs on the incorporation and structuring of province wide First Nations HRSDC and Health service delivery entities. We have been counsel for First Nation in the drafting of one of the first Land Codes and Matrimonial Real Property Laws in Manitoba providing for the self-government of First Nations lands. We have also advised on and structured corporate and commercial arrangements, third party contracts regarding reserve lands and resources, financing of reserve lands and commercial transactions, First Nations trusts, creditor disputes and settlements, and the drafting of laws and advice regarding band custom and elections issues.