Indigenous Governance 2025
June 10, 2025 at 9:00AM PDT
Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar
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:
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
Agenda
9:00 - Welcome and Introduction by PBLI
9:05 - Chairs’ Welcome and Introduction
Max Faille
Cochrane Sinclair LLP
Aaron Christoff
Cochrane Sinclair LLP
9:10 - Keynote Address
9:30 - Questions and Discussion
9:35 - Self-government and the Charter: The Dickson decision and section 25
The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
Implications of the decision for self-governing Nations
Section 25 of the Charter and the exercise of Indigenous law-making authority
10:20 - Questions and Discussion
10:30 - Morning Break
10:45 - Election Laws & Membership Codes
Aaron Christoff
Cochrane Sinclair LLP
Amory Hall
Cochrane Sinclair LLP/Haíɫzaqv First Nation
Basis for membership codes and election codes
Practical and legal considerations for drafting
Impact of the Dickson decision and s. 25
11:45 - Questions and Discussion
12:00 - Lunch Break
1:00 - Indigenous Lawmaking and Incorporating Traditional Laws
Perspectives on Indigenous lawmaking and incorporating Indigenous traditions into laws and processes
1:45 - Questions and Discussion
1:55 - Enforcement of Laws
New developments and strategies for enforcement of laws
2:40 - Questions and Discussion
2:50 - Afternoon Break
3:05 - Fiscal Policy and Taxation
Matthew Mehaffey
Mehaffey Consulting
Chief Commissioner C.T. (Manny) Jules
First Nations Tax Commission
Fiscal relationship between self-governing Nations and Canada – how self-government gets funded
Exercise of tax jurisdiction by First Nations
3:50 - Questions and Discussion
4:00 - The Implementation of Bill C-92 and Indigenous Child Welfare Jurisdiction
Sonny Cochrane
Cochrane Sinclair LLP
Child welfare jurisdiction
How Bill C-92 is being implemented across the country
4:45 - Questions and Discussion
4:55 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks
5:00 - Forum Concludes
5:30 - Cochrane Sinclair LLP Reception
Meet the Co-Chairs
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Managing Partner, Vancouver Office, Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Vancouver, BC
Max Faille is Managing Partner of the Vancouver office of Cochrane Sinclair LLP, where he practices Indigenous law and constitutional litigation. Before joining Cochrane Sinclair, Max practiced Indigenous and constitutional law for 25 years at a major Canadian law firm, where he served as National Leader for Aboriginal Law for almost a decade. Since 2021, he has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law, teaching First Nation Taxation.
Max represents leading Indigenous governments, political and social organizations, entrepreneurs and individuals on Aboriginal and treaty rights matters, self-government & governance, First Nation taxation, and Indigenous economic development. He also represents several provincial and territorial governments and legislative bodies (including the Senate of Canada), as well as private parties, in constitutional litigation matters.
His appellate advocacy includes regular appearances before superior courts, Courts of Appeal across Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Notably, he was counsel to the Assembly of First Nations in the landmark Bastien case, the leading Supreme Court decision on First Nation taxation. He acted as legal advisor to the Whitecap Dakota Nation during the negotiation of the recent Whitecap Dakota Self-Government Treaty, the first stand-alone, treaty-protected self-government agreement in Canada.
Max was named Benchmark Canada’s “Aboriginal Law Litigator of the Year” in 2016 and received the Northwest Territory Premier’s Award for Indigenous Partnership in 2020. For nine consecutive years, Chambers Canada has ranked him as a leading lawyer in representing Indigenous Peoples, currently holding a Tier 1 ranking. He is also regularly recognized in other legal directories, including Benchmark Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, The Best Lawyers™ in Canada, and The Legal 500 Canada. Max practices law in both English and French.
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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.
Meet the Faculty
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Associate, Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Vancouver, BC
Amory Hall (He/Him) is an Associate in the Vancouver office of Cochrane Sinclair, specializing in Indigenous Law. A proud member of the Haíɫzaqv First Nation, he brings a deep understanding of the unique legal needs of Indigenous communities. Before joining the firm, Amory articled at a prominent Western law firm in Vancouver.
He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law, following his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Applied Ethics from the University of Victoria.
Amory’s practice advises Indigenous governments, political and social organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, and other Indigenous professionals on issues related to Aboriginal and treaty rights, First Nation taxation, self-government, governance, and Indigenous economic development.
Outside of work, Amory enjoys fishing in his community of Bella Bella, snowboarding, and playing indoor and beach volleyball.
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Co-Managing Partner, Cochrane Sinclair LLP, Winnipeg, MB
Mr. Cochrane is a founding and managing partner at Cochrane Sinclair LLP. He is a Cree lawyer who grew up in Fisher River Cree Nation and has eep connections to the Indigenous community.
Sonny is the first Cree lawyer appointed King’s Counsel in Manitoba. He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his advocacy and contributions toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
He is regularly retained by First Nation governments for business development initiatives, specific claims, child welfare issues and self-government/jurisdictional matters. His advice is also sought on matters related to the treaties and Canada’s constitutional framework in relation to Indigenous people.
He represents First Nations throughout western Canada in the development of their child welfare laws and at self-government negotiation tables with Canada and Provinces.
He is also a member of our firm’s Class Action legal group which is committed to addressing historical wrongs against First Nations in Canada.
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First Nations Tax Commission, Kamloops, BC
Manny Jules has dedicated over 40 years of his life to public service in support of Aboriginal issues. He is a member of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and served as Chief from 1984 to 2000. Mr. Jules led the amendment to the Indian Act in 1988 so that First Nations could exercise the jurisdiction to levy property taxes on-reserve. The Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) and the current First Nation property tax system were created as a result of his vision and efforts. Mr. Jules served as Chair of ITAB from 1989 to 2003 and 2005 to 2007. He was the driving force behind the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, passed by Parliament in 2005, creating the First Nations Tax Commission. Mr. Jules was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both the University of British Columbia in 1997 and Thompson Rivers University in 2006, the Order of British Columbia in 2009, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013. Mr. Jules is also a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame.
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Consultant, Mehaffey Consulting, Vancouver, BC
Matthew Mehaffey has a law degree from the University of British Columbia and has been the Principal at Mehaffey Consulting since 2005, having joined in 2003. In addition to administration of justice negotiations and treaty implementation management advice, Matthew specialized in fiscal negotiations, including financial transfer agreements, taxation and resource sharing agreements and funding for programs and services.
Registration Form
Program:
Indigenous Governance 2025
Date:
June 10, 2025
Location:
UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street - Classroom level), Vancouver, BC
Registration:
The registration fee is $890.00 plus GST of $44.50 totalling $934.50 for webinar and in-person attendance. Registration fee covers your attendance at the program and electronic materials. In-person attendance includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Early Bird Discount:
Register by May 12, 2025 and receive a $100 discount on the registration fee ($790.00 plus GST). Discounts cannot be combined.
Group Discount:
Register four persons from the same organization at the same time and you are entitled to a complimentary fifth registration. Discounts cannot be combined.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form and email it to registrations@pbli.com:
Payment:
You may pay by VISA, Mastercard or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to the Pacific Business & Law Institute and mailed to Unit 2-2246 Spruce Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2P3. Please do not send cheques via courier with signature required.
When and Where:
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. (PDT). UBC Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street in Vancouver, BC, and our event will take place on the classroom level. Please visit https://robsonsquare.ubc.ca/find-us/ for directions.
Materials:
The faculty will prepare papers and/or other materials explaining many of the points raised during this program. Materials will be distributed electronically. Please contact us at registrations@pbli.com if you are unable to attend the program and wish to purchase a set of materials.
Cancellations/Transfers:
Refunds will be given for cancellations (less a $60.00 administration fee) if notice is received in writing five full business days prior to the program (June 3, 2025). After that time we are unable to refund registration fees. Substitutions will be permitted. We reserve the right to cancel, change or revise the date, faculty, content, availability of webinar or venue and transfer in-person registration to webinar registration for this event.
To register by phone:
Telephone us: 604-730-2500
Your Privacy:
We will keep all information that you provide to us in strict confidence, other than to prepare a delegate list containing your name, title, firm and city for our faculty and the program delegates. We do not share our mailing lists with any non-affiliated organization.
Course Accreditation:
Attendance at this course can be listed for up to 6.5 hours of continuing professional development credits with the Law Society of BC. For practitioners in other jurisdictions, please check your governing body’s CPD requirements.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form (DOWNLOAD FORM) and email it to registrations@pbli.com (*This form is for registrations of 5 or more and cannot be combined with any other promotions/discount codes.)
For individual registration, please continue with form below.