Our Work Outside the Courtroom
See moreFirst Nations Tax Commission
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.
Heiltsuk Tribal Council
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
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.
Our Work in the Courtroom
See moreDickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, 2024 SCC 10
The Supreme Court of Canada held that an Indigenous government may rely on section 25 of the Charter as a defence to a Charter challenge where there is an irreconcilable conflict between the individual Charter
Southwind v. Canada, 2021 SCC 28
The Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that compensation for breaches of fiduciary duty by the Crown in relation to unlawful interference with reserve lands must reflect the highest value of the lands damaged or taken. Mandell Pinder was counsel to the appellant Lac Seul First Nation and the interveners the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, the Penticton Indian Band, and the Williams Lake First Nation.
R. v. Desautel, 2021 SCC 17
The Supreme Court of Canada held that “Aboriginal Peoples of Canada” in subsection 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982, means the modern‑day successors of Aboriginal societies that occupied Canadian territory at the time of European contact, which may include Aboriginal groups that are now outside Canada. Mandell Pinder was counsel to the intervener Okanagan Nation Alliance.
Community Support
Mandell Pinder recognizes the honour that our clients bestow upon us by asking us to be a part of their work. One of the ways we do this is by giving back.
Indigenous Law Students
We have dedicated ourselves to supporting Indigenous students for many years. With the help of the University of Victoria, we created the Mandell Pinder LLP Indigenous law Scholar Award, which is awarded annually to deserving students enrolled in the University’s law program.
At Langara College, we sponsor the perpetual Mandell Pinder LLP/J. Dwyer Indigenous Education Scholarship for Indigenous students with demonstrated academic success.
Our lawyers share their time and experience coaching UBC Allard Law students through the Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot, an annual moot based on consensus-building and negotiation. We are also regular sponsors of the UBC Allard Law Indigenous Legal Studies Reception.
Mandell Pinder has trained numerous Indigenous law students, many of whom have gone on to create significant impact in their communities.
Indigenous Organizations, Grassroots Initiatives, and Community Support
Every year, we support various Indigenous and grassroots community initiatives including community level celebrations and ceremonies, student initiatives, and emergency relief.
We also regularly support the CBABC Aboriginal Lawyers Forum, Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Georgia Strait Alliance, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the Westcoast LEAF Equality Breakfast.
Some of Our Alumni
It is the strong and continued support of our peers at Mandell Pinder who have made us who we are today. From our founders to our articling students, administrators and lawyers, the team at Mandell Pinder routinely demonstrates sound leadership and helps foster a deeper understanding of issues faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada and abroad. We have been fortunate over the years to work with some brilliant and interesting people. Here is a small sample of some of our Indigenous alumni.
Shain Niniwum Selapem Jackson is Coast Salish from the community of shíshálh. He is an artist, and a lawyer who has represented the interests of Indigenous communities and organizations throughout British Columbia in relation to a broad array of issues. Shain began his legal career at Mandell Pinder and after several years left practice to explore the relationship between Indigenous art and law. On this front Shain has advised the highest levels of both the Canadian government and judiciary on Indigenous legal constructs. He is currently the president of Spirit Works Limited, a company focused on the design, creation, and distribution of Indigenous art. He is also the Executive Director of Golden Eagle Rising Society, an organization whose mandate is the protection of Indigenous lives.
Myrna is a Métis lawyer from Green Lake in Treaty Six territory and the host of “The Trauma-Informed Lawyer” Podcast. She began her career at Mandell Pinder with the support, commitment, and encouragement of mentors and friends in the firm who invested their time and energy in her success. Prior to founding Miyo Pimatisiwin Legal Services in 2019, Myrna served as an adjudicator in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement claims process, and Crown Prosecutor with the Ministry of the Attorney General in Saskatchewan. When she is not FaceTiming her three grandchildren, educating, or podcasting, Myrna is advising, advocating, or conducting workplace investigations and reviews. In 2020, the Federal Department of Justice awarded Myrna their first ever Excellence in Legal Practice and Victim Support Award. She lives in North Vancouver, B.C.
Steven Point (Xwelíqwetel) is a renowned leader, storyteller, and advocate for Indigenous peoples. He has served as Chief of his community Skowkale, Tribal Chair of the Stó:lō Nation, and Grand Chief of Stó:lō Tribal Council. Dedicating his life to making change, Steven has led a career of many firsts, from being Mandell Pinder’s first articling student, to serving as British Columbia’s first Indigenous lieutenant-governor. With strength grounded in culture and ceremony, his accomplishments include roles as varied as a provincial court judge, Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, and Chancellor of UBC. A passionate orator, Steven generously shares teachings from his life and community to challenge and educate audiences from many walks of life. He continues to champion Indigenous issues and inspire the generations of Indigenous lawyers and leaders who have followed him.
Douglas White, B.A., J.D., K.C. is a member and former Chief of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. His Coast Salish name is Kwul’a’sul’tun and his Nuu-chah-nulth name is Tlii’shin. After completing his B.A. in First Nations Studies (with distinction) from Malaspina University-College, he graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria in 2006. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in January 2008 and spent some of his early time as a lawyer with Mandell Pinder before being elected as Chief to his own community from 2009-2014, then as a councillor from 2015-2020. In 2022, Doug was appointed Special Counsel to the Premier on Indigenous Reconciliation. Doug is a lawyer, politician, educator, and negotiator. He is foremost a passionate and intelligent person dedicating his time to furthering the recognition of Indigenous rights at home and internationally.
Rosalie is a Syilx lawyer from the Okanagan Indian Band with ancestral ties to the Secwepemc Nation. Rosalie articled with Mandell Pinder LLP and is currently the vice-chair of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council and general counsel to the Chiefs Executive Council of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. She was previously a member of the Law Society of B.C.’s Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Committee. In addition to her law degree, Rosalie also holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University. Rosalie is a passionate champion for Nation building approaches based in traditional governance values, customs, and First Nations legal traditions.