Over the years, Mandell Pinder has worked side-by-side with our clients to negotiate groundbreaking settlements, develop successful businesses, and create innovative legal and governance models.
The First Nations Tax Commission is an administrative body established under federal legislation to assist and empower First Nations in the exercise of their taxation jurisdiction on reserve lands. Its work includes setting standards for First Nations’ property tax and other local revenue laws as well as reviewing and approving those laws. For many years, Mandell Pinder has supported the First Nations Tax Commission and its predecessor, the Indian Taxation Advisory Board, in their work to advance self-government for First Nations.
On August 20, 2019, Heiltsuk electors voted in favour of settling Heiltsuk’s herring spawn on kelp (SOK) claim against Canada and approved a settlement agreement, which Canada signed on July 16, 2019. This settlement addressed outstanding issues from the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Gladstone, which provided compensation for Canada’s unjustified infringements of Heiltsuk’s commercial Aboriginal right to harvest spawn on kelp. Mandell Pinder assisted the Heiltsuk Tribal Council in the negotiation, drafting, and implementation of the settlement agreement with Canada as well as the trust agreements.
Klahoose First Nation owns and operates several successful businesses and they, like many First Nations, use multiple corporate entities. Mandell Pinder has provided ongoing advice to the Klahoose First Nation Chief and Council on various corporate and Council governance matters and assisted in restructuring the corporate entities to make them more manageable for the members, Council, and the directors involved.
The Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance Society (LFFA) is a not-for-profit entity of an alliance of First Nations formed to promote and support the management of the fishery of the Lower Fraser River. Mandell Pinder assisted with forming the LFFA and later assisted the LFFA in establishing a for-profit arm that supports the activities of the LFFA.
Mandell Pinder has assisted Musqueam Indian Band and Musqueam Capital Corporation on numerous land acquisition and business development agreements within their territory. This includes joint venture and project management agreements with the Canada Lands Company for both the federal Jericho Lands and Fairmont (Heather) Lands, and the return of several parcels within the area comprising Musqueam’s village site of c̓əsnaʔəm.
Nadleh Whut’en has had a long relationship with Mandell Pinder during which we have worked together on various matters that have created a long-lasting on-reserve economy. Some of the economic activity at Nadleh Whut’en that Mandell Pinder advises on includes a fully serviced, lakefront residential development of over 30 long-term tenants, an on-reserve remote workers camp for the Coastal GasLink project that houses over 700 remote workers, a recent asset purchase for a gas station operation, and a designation for future development of reserve land acres proposed for commercial use.
Pacheedaht First Nation takes an active role in protecting its marine territory through a number of initiatives. In June 2020, Pacheedaht entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Coast Guard to collaboratively build a Marine Safety Centre in Port Renfrew to strengthen marine safety and response capacity in the Juan de Fuca Strait. Mandell Pinder represented Pacheedaht in the negotiation and drafting of the Memorandum of Understanding and continues to work with Pacheedaht to assist with the implementation of their Aboriginal title and rights, including through Treaty negotiations.
On October 4, 2018, shíshálh Nation signed a landmark Foundation Agreement with the Province of British Columbia to implement shíshálh Aboriginal title and rights—including self-government rights—and a Land Transfer Agreement returning a number of land parcels back to the Nation. Mandell Pinder represented shíshálh Nation in the negotiation, drafting, and ongoing implementation of these agreements as well as in prior reconciliation agreements that laid the groundwork for the Foundation Agreement.
For many years, Tahltan Nation has been at the forefront of progressive approaches to mining. Mandell Pinder has assisted Tahltan in this work, including the negotiation, drafting, and implementation of innovative agreements such as the Shared Prosperity Agreement with British Columbia to set the foundation for long-term reconciliation and land use predictability, and a series of agreements with British Columbia, Skeena Resources, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and BC Parks Foundation to work in partnership to create a conservancy at Ice Mountain.
Since we formed, Mandell Pinder has had a close and honourable relationship with the UBCIC as it continues its work to advocate for the resolution of land claims. Mandell Pinder is honoured to work closely with the UBCIC and its members in the development, submission, and resolution of specific claims. On behalf of the UBCIC, often working with other Indigenous organizations, Mandell Pinder has frequently intervened in court proceedings to advocate for the recognition and respect of Indigenous rights.