A Law Firm Providing Powerful Legal Services Exclusively to First Nations Clients Throughout Manitoba and Ontario

Indigenous & Aboriginal Rights, Treaty & Title Claims
Governance, Business Development, Project & Resource Management
Specific & Comprehensive Claims
Civil, Administrative & Criminal Litigation, Negotiations & Advice

INDIGENOUS ABORIGINAL LAW MANITOBA/ONTARIO

WE’RE FIRST NATIONS ADVOCATES.

We’re devoted to representing First Nations in Manitoba & Ontario. We only represent First Nations in Manitoba and Ontario. It’s where we live and who we understand. We’re members of the Manitoba and Ontario bars.

At First Nations Advocates, we’re hyper-focused on helping our First Nation clients achieve their goals.

Custom-tailored Indigenous & Aboriginal legal strategies for your First Nation’s present and future.

We serve as lawyers to Indigenous Peoples, First Nations, Indian Act Bands, Chiefs and Councils, Settlement Trusts, Indigenous organizations, signatories to and beneficiaries of historic and modern Treaties, businesses and individuals on a wide spectrum of Indigenous, Aboriginal, constitutional, environmental and business law matters throughout Manitoba and Ontario.

We employ our decades of experience, knowledge of federal and provincial Crown policies, practices and legislation, plus the latest court jurisprudence, to craft a combination of advice, transactional work, negotiations and litigation that advances our clients’ interests, including their resolution of disputes and securing of appropriate recognition.

We've litigated Indigenous rights and treaty issues as high as the Supreme Court of Canada, negotiated Comprehensive and Specific Claims from coast to coast, advised on additions to reserves and the statutory interpretation of the Indian Act, and facilitated self-government through Indigenous constitutional development and drafting.

Claims and Negotiations

From Negotiation Protocol Agreements to Impact Benefit Agreements to Power Purchase Agreements, we provide legal representation to ensure fair and equitable agreements that maximize long-term benefits for Indigenous communities.

We advocate for Indigenous rights in consultation and accommodation processes, ensuring that governments and industry partners fulfill their legal and constitutional obligations while securing meaningful benefits for communities.

Project and Resource Management

We support Indigenous communities in overseeing mid-size to large-scale projects, including natural resource and infrastructure development, with a focus on sustainability, regulatory compliance, and long-term economic prosperity.

Advice on environmental and natural resource management and protection, energy (wind, solar, hydro-electric, transmission lines), forestry, fisheries, agriculture and aquaculture harvesting & development. Participation in environmental assessments & project approvals, and Land use Planning.

Taxation

Advice & dispute resolution on all aspects of taxation and customs/trade law affecting Indigenous peoples under the Income Tax Act, Excise Tax Act, Excise Act, Customs Act and provincial legislation, including objections and appeals, responding to audits and requirements, and representation before the Tax Court, Canadian International Trade Tribunal, and Federal Court.

Tax exemptions, taxation by-laws and joint venture structures to maximize tax efficiency.

Governance & Law Making

We support Indigenous Nations in strengthening governance structures, drafting laws, and advancing sovereignty through self-determined legal frameworks.

We guide Indigenous Nations through the process of developing and implementing Land Codes under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, enabling self-governance and jurisdiction over their lands.

Business Development

From share and asset purchases to mergers and acquisitions, we provide strategic legal guidance and restructuring advice to support economic growth and sustainable business development for Indigenous communities and organizations.

Litigation

Advocacy & representation in civil, administrative and criminal litigation in Provincial, Superior and Federal trial & appellate courts and tribunals up to the Supreme Court of Canada, including researching, drafting and responding to Notices of Application, Statements of Claim, class actions, discoveries, disclosure, and conducting trials and appeals; settlement of outstanding litigation through negotiation.

Judicial Reviews of federal, provincial or municipal government decision-making.