Indigenous Law

Dubuc-Osland has long-standing ties with First Nations in Alberta and Inuit organizations and communities in the Qikiqtani, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot Regions of Nunavut. Our team of lawyers advise and advocate on behalf of First Nations Councils and Inuit organizations on a variety of governance and business issues, and represents them in litigation matters unique to Indigenous peoples. Our work in this area is marked by a profound respect for Indigenous laws and customs and a solid understanding of governance issues gained from years of experience.

Our commercial lawyers provide corporate and commercial advice and services to First Nations and Inuit development organizations in matters such as:

• Creating corporate structures for land and resource development, economic development and joint ventures
• Government-to-Nation relations
• First Nations governance
• Advising on fiduciary and trust obligations
• Developing business agreements for economic development projects
• Negotiating joint ventures in areas such as fisheries, resources extraction and commercial real estate
• Advising, negotiating and drafting documents in commercial transactions, including asset and share purchases and land transactions Our litigation team works to advance Indigenous and Treaty rights representing Indigenous clients in complex claims and cases involving, among other:
• Land Claims
• Treaty rights and land entitlement
• Breach of trust or fiduciary obligations in the mismanagement of First Nations’ lands and resources
• Constitutional obligations to consult and accommodate
• Environmental protection
• Election appeals
• Employment-related litigation and Federal adjudication
• Human Rights