Aboriginal Law Conference 2024

Course Chairs
Gary S. Campo X̱eyx̱kinem — Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, Victoria
Ava G. Murphy — Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, Victoria

About the Course Chairs
In his role of partner at Woodward and Company, X̱eyx̱kinem (Gary's) work primarily focuses on a general practice for Indigenous governments. His current practice spans settlement negotiations, business transactions, taxation, economic development, reserve infrastructure projects, environmental remediation, band governance, leasing, contractual and employment matters, and 'Indian' status issues.

In addition to a general practice, Gary has an extensive background specializing in Aboriginal rights and title. He was part of the core legal team that successfully established Aboriginal rights and title for the Tsilhqot’in Nation, where he assisted in drafting the final argument and was instrumental in working with elders and experts to present oral history and expert evidence to the court.

Gary was born in North Vancouver and is a member of the Squamish Nation. He first joined the firm as a co-op student in 1999 and returned as an Articled Student in 2000. He was then called to the BC bar in 2001.

Gary is the recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Scholarship Award, the Keith B. Jobson Award, and the Chief Michael Underwood Award for leadership, community interest and academic excellence with respect to Indigenous issues.

As a partner at Woodward and Company, Ava's practice spans the fields of Aboriginal rights and title, the duty to consult and accommodate, the Crown's fiduciary obligations to First Nations, treaty land entitlement, and other litigation, negotiation and advocacy work aimed at reconciliation.

Ava is one of the lead counsel in the longest trial in Canadian history: the Cowichan Nation's pursuit of title to their historic village at Tl’uqtinus, and associated fishing rights. She has represented a myriad First Nations communities, fiercely negotiating and pursuing justice on their behalf.

A member of the Law Societies of BC and Ontario, Ava is backed by a Juris Doctor Degree from UBC as well as two Bachelor of Science degrees, in wildlife ecology & rural sociology, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ava has been recognized and awarded multiple times for her achievements, including the Marlee G. Kline Prize for best paper and the Superior Court Judges' Scholarship for high academic standing.

Ava is gratefully from Anishinaabe and Dakota territory in Minnesota.

Keynote Speakers (Strengthening the Indigenous Languages Act: Lessons Learned from Canada's Official Languages Act Saga)

The Honourable Senator Michèle Audette — Senate of Canada, Ottawa
Darius Bossé — Juristes Power Law, Ottawa

Senator Michèle Taïna Audette grew up immersed in both the Innu and Quebec cultures. She was born in Wabush, Labrador, and spent her early years in Schefferville, Mani-Utenam, and Montreal. From the moment she was born, she has experienced discrimination as both a woman and an Indigenous person, and she has dedicated herself to pursuing equality, equity, justice, and social justice.

Senator Audette is committed to advancing First Peoples' issues, including issues faced by Indigenous women, and to building bridges to create an inclusive and respectful society for all.

She studied visual arts at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and art education at Concordia University. She holds two honorary doctorates, one from the University of Montreal for her political and social advocacy on behalf of Indigenous women and one from the Faculty of Social Sciences of University of Ottawa.

Her past roles include serving as president of the Native Women's Association of Quebec (FAQ), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), and as commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG).

In the fall of 2019, she joined Laval University as a senior advisor for reconciliation and Indigenous education. She was appointed senator in July 2021.

Originally from New Brunswick, Darius Bossé now lives in Ottawa where his passion for public law and politics has flourished. Darius focuses his practice on constitutional law, administrative law, and parliamentary and government affairs.

Complementing his focused public law practice, Darius has gained extensive experience working on civil litigation matters more broadly, including on appellate and judicial review matters. He has represented his clients' interests before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, and the Ontario Superior Court.

With experience at the crossroads of law and policy, he guides his clients through legislative and policy development processes, including by proposing legislative amendments and preparing clients for appearances before parliamentary committees. He also has experience interpreting, negotiating, and implementing intergovernmental agreements.

Darius began his legal career clerking for Justice Henry S. Brown of the Federal Court and Justice Suzanne Côté of the Supreme Court of Canada. As an articling student and then associate at Power Law, Darius worked on the largest and most complex education rights trial since the adoption of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Darius' work experience before and during law school greatly informs his practice. For example, while studying law, Darius worked as a Parliamentary Assistant to a member of the House of Commons, and interned at the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel for the Senate of Canada.

Darius is the author of several academic articles that explore a variety of issues in the areas of constitutional law, administrative law, minority law, statutory interpretation law, and human rights. Darius practices in English and French.

Full Agenda to follow!