About us
We are here to provide trusted legal and strategic advice to Indigenous governments with respect and integrity.
Indigenous governments have an inherent right to govern over their respective lands, resources, and citizens. Under Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada and the formal adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) in Canada, the federal government and provincial governments must negotiate with Indigenous governments based on the recognition of Indigenous rights and title. This recognition means certainty of Indigenous jurisdiction and the exercise of Indigenous legal traditions. If the federal and provincial governments do not approach negotiations based on this recognition, we are left with uncertainty leaving Indigenous governments and these other levels of government in an adversarial position and often attempting to resolve disputes in a court of law.
Services
WHAT WE DO?
NEGOTIATING AND DRAFTING AGREEMENTS
Aaron Bruce Law acts on behalf of Indigenous governments as a negotiator and negotiates government to government agreements with both federal and provincial governmentsand agreements with companies that have applied to develop natural resource projects on Indigenous lands.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), such as facilitation and mediation, are becoming the preferred way to attempt to resolve disputes rather than through litigation. In addition, many government-to-government processes are basing decision-making on consensus which usually requires the support of a facilitator or mediator.
About
AARON BRUCE
Aaron is the founder and principal of Aaron Bruce Law. He has been providing legal and strategic advice to Indigenous Nations since 2004. A member of the Squamish Nation, Aaron was driven to become a lawyer to support his community, and other Indigenous communities, in resolving land, natural resource and jurisdictional issues with federal and provincial governments and industry. Working for the law firm that represented his community from articling student to becoming a partner allowed Aaron to gain valuable experience to start his own law firm and to continue to represent Indigenous governments regarding aboriginal rights & title, natural resource law, and Indigenous jurisdictional and governance issues. He has represented First Nations in litigation, regulatory hearings, and negotiations with other levels of government and industry as well as acting as mediator and facilitator in alternative dispute resolution processes.
Aaron also participates on many committees and sub-committees that advise and provide recommendations to Indigenous, provincial, and federal governments, such as:
-
British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office Environmental Assessment Advisory Committee, providing recommendations to the Minister of Environment on the Revitalization of the BC Environmental Assessment Act
-
Indigenous Advisory Committee Circle of Experts, a sub-committee of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Committee
-
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Sub-committee, a sub-committee of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Mining Code Committee
-
Tŝilhqot’in National Government External Advisory Committee, Tŝilhqot’in Impact Assessment Framework Project
Testimonials
CLIENTS ARE VERY SATISFIED TO WORK WITH US
Contact
GET IN TOUCH
Got questions or comments? Love us? Think we could do better? Whatever the case, we love it when you share.