Aboriginal Law Conference 2025: Weaving the Golden Thread

Course Chairs
Jeffrey R. Nicholls — Ratcliff LLP, North Vancouver
Melinda J. Skeels — Ratcliff LLP, North Vancouver

About the Course Chairs
Jeffrey Nicholls is a member of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation and works as a lawyer with Ratcliff LLP supporting Indigenous Peoples in litigation, negotiation, and law and policy development. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and other courts on matters related to First Nations government.

Jeff enjoys teaching and has given lectures on various topics related to Indigenous lawmaking at both UBC's Allard Law School and UVic's Joint Degree Program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders. He promotes access to justice and environmental justice by volunteering with RAVEN Trust—a charity that raises funds to support First Nations asserting their legal rights in court.

Melinda Skeels is an accomplished and dedicated legal advisor to First Nations governments. She assists her clients with governance, litigation, and regulatory matters. A key area of this practice is providing governance advice and assisting in the implementation of self-governance through all stages of the development of law and policy. She is committed to engaging closely with client communities to develop laws that reflect their cultures, practices, and values.

An experienced litigator and advocate, Melinda has appeared in all three levels of court in BC and before various administrative tribunals, including the BC Utilities Commission, the National Energy Board, and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Tribunal.

Melinda completed her articles at Ratcliff LLP in 2008 and has been in practice with the firm since. In her spare time, she is an avid sea kayaker, camper and traveller, usually snapping at least a few photos along the way.

Welcome
Elder Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock — Skwxwú7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish Nation), North Vancouver

Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock is a Knowledge Carrier & Elder from Squamish Nation with strong Indigenous worldviews, ancestral knowledge, and traditional teachings. 

Luncheon Speaker
Kwuntiltunaat, Kim Baird — Chief Administrative Officer, Tsawwassen First Nation, Tsawwassen

Kim Baird is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Tsawwassen First Nation and a former Chief who played a pivotal role as Chief Negotiator in securing the Tsawwassen Treaty, which came into force in 2009. This groundbreaking agreement is one of Canada's first urban modern treaties and has become a model for reshaping relationships between Indigenous nations and the Crown. As a leader who has guided the transition from negotiation to the implementation of the Tsawwassen Treaty, Kim has over a decade of post-treaty experience, providing her with unique insights into the complexities of treaty implementation, federal engagement, and governance.

Beyond her role at Tsawwassen First Nation, Kim advises Indigenous communities, governments, businesses, and other organizations on Indigenous matters through her company, Kim Baird Strategic Consulting. She is committed to improving the quality of life for Indigenous people, offering expertise in First Nation policy, governance, economic development, and consultation. In BC, where First Nations are recognized as rights holders, not stakeholders, Kim underscores that building strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities is essential for any business or government operation. This is especially crucial in the context of reconciliation and engagement in a province where Indigenous rights are constitutionally protected.

Kim is the Chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University and serves on several boards, including the Canada Infrastructure Bank and FPX Nickel. Recognized for her negotiation, communication, and facilitation skills, she is a sought-after public speaker. Kim's leadership and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including membership in both the Order of BC and the Order of Canada, an Indspire Laureate award, and the Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Faculty
Neegann Aaswaakshin — Director of Reconciliation and In-house Legal Counsel, Lax Kw'alaams First Nation, Lax Kw'alaams
Michelle L. Bradley — Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, Victoria
Mary N. Childs, KC — General Counsel, Tsawwassen First Nation, Tsawwassen
Ewa Holender — Ratcliff LLP, North Vancouver
Ava G. Murphy — Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, Victoria
Dr. Millie Nickason, PhD, MPA — Barrister & Solicitor, Nanaimo
Lou Poskitt — Cooperwilliams Truman & Ito LLP, Vancouver
Josh Regnier — MLT Aikins LLP, Vancouver
Amitpal C. Singh — Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Natalia Sudeyko — Ratcliff LLP, North Vancouver
Megan Vis-Dunbar — Director, Reconciling Crown Legal Frameworks Program, BC Law Institute, Vancouver

Course Materials Contributor
Gregory G. Blue, KC — BC Law Institute, Vancouver
Alexis Giannelia — Woodward & Company Lawyers LLP, Victoria

Click here for full faculty bios

• the unique jurisdictional gap that modern treaty nations face after removing themselves from the Indian Act
• emerging trends in the case law addressing employment jurisdiction in the First Nations context, focusing on cases that have relevance to modern treaty nations
• how the general presumption that employment is provincially regulated unless the employment relates to a federal head of power raises interesting considerations in the context of a modern treaty nation or a First Nation with Land Code
• practical recommendations for lawyers advising First Nations or employees in this complex and developing area of law

• definitions of co-governance
• benefits of co-governance
• challenges to implementing co-governance
• potential legal tools to implement co-governance
• an example of co-governance from the Yukon, including practical lessons learned that may assist in the BC context

• introduction to the evidentiary and other hurdles faced by Indigenous plaintiffs in Aboriginal and Treaty rights cases and the importance of finding ways to streamline factfinding and further reconciliation 
• explanation of judicial notice
• overview of the evolution of court cases grappling with judicial notice in Aboriginal and treaty rights cases
• discussion of the lessons learned from these cases and the path forward