SAVE THE DATE

Indigenous Governance 2025

June 10, 2025

Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar

9:00AM PDT

Indigenous Governance 2025

June 10, 2025

Overview

Indigenous Nations are increasingly reclaiming their own models and forms of self-government and self-determination. This critical progression has the power to rebuild the social and economic well-being of Indigenous peoples, revitalize the internal operations of Indigenous Nations, and renew relationships with other nations, governments and external stakeholders.

This 1 day program brings together representatives from First Nations and leaders in the field of Aboriginal and Indigenous law for a comprehensive discussion of Indigenous governance, both generally and in certain key sectors, including land stewardship, health, child and family services, and economic development. Our diverse and well-informed faculty will provide attendees with a deep understanding of key issues in this dynamic area.

A welcome reception hosted by Cochrane Sinclair LLP will follow.

Key Areas Addressed:

  • A keynote address by Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation

  • The impact of the Dickson decision and Indigenous self-government

  • Election laws and membership codes

  • Traditional law-making

  • Enforcement of Indigenous laws

  • Economic policy and taxation issues

  • Child and family services and the implementation of Bill C-92

Who Should Attend:

  • Aboriginal leaders, officials, councillors, elders, negotiators, administrators, and advisors

  • Lawyers practising in the areas of Aboriginal law, administrative law, and business law

  • Owners, managers and representatives of resource development companies and companies operating on Crown land

  • Federal, provincial and municipal government officials and policy advisors

  • Consultants, accountants, financial planners, and others assisting First Nations with financial matters and business operations

Meet the Co-Chairs

  • Partner, Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Vancouver, BC

    Max Faille is a partner in the Vancouver office of Cochrane Sinclair LLP, where he practises Indigenous law and constitutional litigation. Prior to joining Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Max practiced Indigenous and constitutional law in Ottawa and Vancouver at a major Canadian law firm for 25 years, where he acted as National Leader for Aboriginal Law for almost a decade. Since 2021, he has been Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia Peter A. Allard School of Law, where he teaches First Nation Taxation. Max represents leading Indigenous governments, political and social organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes on matters of Aboriginal and treaty rights, First Nation taxation, self-government, governance and Indigenous economic development. He also has represented several provincial and territorial governments and legislative bodies (including the Canadian Senate), as well as private businesses, in constitutional litigation matters. His appellate advocacy includes regular appearances before the superior courts and the Courts of Appeal across Canada, as well as in the Supreme Court of Canada. He was counsel to the Assembly of First Nations in the landmark Bastien case, the current leading case in regard to First Nation taxation. He was legal advisor to the Whitecap Dakota Nation in its negotiation of the landmark Whitecap Dakota Self-Government Treaty that came into effect on September 1, 2023 — the first stand-alone, treaty-protected self-government agreement in Canada.

  • Partner, Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Vancouver, BC

    Aaron Christoff is an Indigenous law and litigation partner in Cochrane Sinclair’s Vancouver office. Before joining the firm, Aaron was part of the Vancouver Indigenous law group at a major international law firm, where he built a robust practice advocating for Indigenous communities.

    Aaron regularly advises and represents First Nation governments on various complex issues, including Aboriginal and Treaty rights, specific claims against the Crown, self-government, elections, and governance matters. He works closely with Nations to develop and draft legislation and policies, such as custom election codes and child and family services laws under Bill C-92.

    In his advocacy practice, Aaron frequently represents Indigenous clients in legal proceedings, including class actions, judicial reviews, and specific claims. He has also acted on behalf of corporate clients across diverse sectors, including tax and telecommunications. His courtroom experience spans appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Alberta and Saskatchewan Courts of King’s Bench, Ontario Divisional Court, the Nunavut Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, and administrative tribunals.

    Aaron is honoured to have advised the Whitecap Dakota Nation in negotiating the historic Whitecap Dakota Self-Government Treaty, which came into effect on September 1, 2023. This treaty marks the first stand- alone, treaty-protected self-government agreement in Canada and the first self-government agreement in Saskatchewan.

    A Nehiyaw (Cree) citizen of Saulteau First Nations in north-eastern British Columbia (Treaty 8), Aaron has lived, worked, and studied across Canada. His deep commitment to Indigenous rights and wide-ranging legal experience make him a trusted advocate for his clients.

Faculty information to come …