First Nations
Our office offers a wide range of legal services to First Nations communities and their members, and to individuals, companies and lenders conducting business with First Nations or on First Nations lands. Our practice group includes lawyers who have experience in the following areas:
- Land Development
- Negotiating Leases
- Commercial Financing and Leases
- Residential Property Transactions
- Commercial Property Transactions
- Commercial Agreements and Transactions
- Estate Planning
- Taxation Issues
- Litigation
As communities grow, aboriginals and non aboriginals have continued to develop partnerships and ways of doing business with each other. History and culture influence the way business is conducted within the First Nations communities. We know that to properly represent clients, there must be an understanding and respect of the aboriginal perspective and we offer our services within that framework.
The First Nations communities approach development and leasing on their lands in different manners. Some lands are governed under the Indian Act and some are governed under their own constitution. Lands are either community lands held by the First Nation which can be designated for the purpose of leasing or Locatee lands which are reserve lands allocated to a particular First Nations member. This framework has created a need for specialized legal services. We have lawyers that specialize in this area and who have represented individuals, companies and lenders doing business on First Nations lands.
Whether a client needs assistance preparing a lease, registering security or working through the procedures of Indian & Northern Affairs, our lawyers have the experience and the understanding of aboriginal law issues necessary to guide our clients through this unique and complex area of law.
We have specific experience assisting purchasers, sellers, developers and lenders with the acquisition, financing, sale, development and leasing of commercial and residential properties on the following First Nations Lands:
- Westbank First Nation
- Kamloops Indian Band
- Okanagan Indian Band
- Osoyoos Indian Band
- Adams Lake Indian Band
- Shuswap Indian Band
We can assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our First Nations lawyers for more information.
First Nations Group
 Andrea practices in the area of business law, with an emphasis on complex commercial transactions and First Nations transactions. In addition to her law firm experience, Andrea has acted as in-house counsel for a private corporation and a public body, managing drafting and negotiating commercial agreements in a wide variety of areas.  Andrew practices in the areas of business law, real estate law and wills and estates. Andrew received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University in 2002 and his Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005. He was called to the bar in Ontario in 2006 and then to the bar in British Columbia in 2008.  Geord’s practice deals with all areas of real estate law and business law, with a particular focus on real estate development. He has lengthy experience in raising private capital under exemptions within the Securities Act and Rules, and has acted for developers of projects in foreign jurisdictions marketing within British Columbia. He also has a niche practice in adoption law  Theresa has a well established business and estate law practice and is highly regarded for her expertise with First Nations transactions and estate planning. She has extensive experience advising individuals and companies in these areas. She began practicing law in 1982, joined Pushor Mitchell in 1985 becoming a partner one year later, and has previously filled the role of Managing Partner for the firm.  Vanessa practices in the areas of business law, real estate and wills and estates. As a Registered Trade-mark agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, her business law practice has a specific focus on intellectual property law, including filing Canadian and US trade-mark applications and advising clients on infringement issues. Her real estate practice is expanding to serve purchasers and vendors of freehold property and First Nations Land Developments. |
First Nations Articles
- Buckshee Leases of First Nations Land : Tenants Beware
- Diagram of Leasing Structure for Residential Development on First Nations Lands
- First Nations Leasing: Overview of Documents for a Residential Development on First Nations Lands
- First Nations Leasing: Buying and Selling Subleasehold Interests
- Indian Land Transactions
- Leasing First Nations Lands from a Locatee
- Resort Development on First Nations Lands
- The Development Process on First Nations Lands
- Understanding Indian Act Conveyancing