Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP

Looking for your next great opportunity? Join OKT's growing team!

We are seeking a Human Resources professional to join our team as a Human Resources Group Lead (HRGL). Reporting to the Director of HR, the HRGL will be a key team member, tasked with providing strategic and tactical HR support to create a productive and positive team culture.

The HRGL will serve as an advocate for law students and junior associates (assigned group), ensuring alignment with OKT's vision, mission and values while actively seeking opportunities to enhance both employee experience and business performance.

Click on the link below to learn more.

https://www.oktlaw.com/our-team/join-our-team/

On Monday, May 20, Bryce Edwards was quoted in a Toronto Star article titled, "Rotting foundations. Rampant mould. Sewage backups. What an expert’s report reveals about the state of housing in ‘deliberately underfunded’ First Nations".

Click on the link below to read the full article.

Rotting foundations. Rampant mould. Sewage backups. What an expert’s report reveals about the state of housing in ‘deliberately underfunded’ First Nations The report was filed in court as part of a $10-billion class action lawsuit against the Canadian government.

We are thrilled to share that Renée Pelletier has been honoured with the prestigious Gold Key Award for a Career of Distinction by York University - Osgoode Hall Law School. This well-deserved accolade celebrates Renée's outstanding skills and her invaluable contributions to the legal field.

Please join us in congratulating Renée on this remarkable achievement!

Is UNDRIP going to bring about transformational change to the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples? What about the federal government’s implementing legislation?

In episode 2 of the OKT podcast, Ashley Ash, Miranda Dell'Anna and John Olthuis discuss the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Introduction and conclusion provided by Senwung Luk. Click on the link below to access the episode!

https://www.oktlaw.com/okt-podcast-united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples-undrip/

OKT is delighted to welcome our 2024 summer students, Aherthy Jeyasundaram, Emily Otowadjiwan and Kai Chang to the team!

Click through the images to learn more about them.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin interprets the relationship between individual Charter rights and freedoms, and Indigenous collective rights. A majority of the court found that a self-governing First Nation’s law requiring elected leaders to reside in the community was valid, in the face of a Charter challenge that the law was discriminatory.

The court applied the Charter in the absence of the First Nation explicitly consenting to it in its self-government agreement. In doing so, the court diminished the promise of self-government and the right of Indigenous governments to determine the proper balance between governmental action and protections for the individual rights of its citizens.

Click on the link below to read our latest blog post for a detailed analysis of the decision, written by Gaëlle Groux, Haritha Popuri and Tania Talebzadeh-Takiyeh.

https://bit.ly/3QewnuK

On April 14, 2024, the Haida Nation and the Province of British Columbia signed the Gaayhllxid/Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement. This Agreement recognizes that the Haida Nation has Aboriginal title to all of Haida Gwaii. It is a landmark, historic step in the Haida Nation’s decades-long fight to have their Aboriginal title recognized and vindicated.

To learn more, click on the link below to read our latest blog post written by Victoria Wicks and Graeme Cook.

https://www.oktlaw.com/historic-agreement-recognizes-haida-title-to-haida-gwaii

Looking for your next great opportunity? Join OKT's growing Litigation Team!

We're on the lookout for candidates with 3-9 years of civil litigation experience. Intrigued? Click the link below for more information.
https://www.oktlaw.com/our-team/join-our-team/

On Friday, April 12, Senwung Luk was featured in Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Click on the link below to access the article "First Nation's land entitlement claim statute-barred, but SCC finds treaty breach by Crown."

First Nation's land entitlement claim statute-barred, but SCC finds treaty breach by Crown Court notes treaty rights enforceable under common law, not Constitution Act, 1982

Seventeen years after the UN General Assembly passed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”), and eight years after Canada endorsed UNDRIP “without qualification”, the Supreme Court of Canada has finally made its first substantive comments on UNDRIP, in its recent C-92 Reference.

Click on the link below to read our latest blog post written by Senwung Luk.

https://www.oktlaw.com/undrip-is-now-part-of-canadas-domestic-positive-law-what-does-this-mean/

OKT is delighted to welcome Sarah Chiavarini to the firm as an Associate in our Toronto office!

Canada's Supreme Court released its Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin decision today. In our latest blog post, OKT provides a short initial summary of this case that interprets the relationship between individual Charter rights and freedoms, and Indigenous collective rights protected in s. 35 and other parts of the Canadian Constitution.

Click on the link below to read our post written by Haritha Popuri and Gaëlle Groux.

https://www.oktlaw.com/the-charter-versus-aboriginal-rights-supreme-court-releases-decision-on-dickson-v-vuntut-gwitchin/

Stay tuned for a more detailed OKT analysis next week!

What is the Doctrine of Discovery and how does it continue to impact Indigenous peoples today?

Click on the video link below to hear from Harry LaForme, Pam Palmater, and Bruce McIvor as they offer insight into the origins of the concept, tracing its evolution from arcane religious law in the papal bulls to its lasting influence on Canadian laws.

What is the Doctrine of Discovery? | NDN POV | TVO Today What is the Doctrine of Discovery and how does it continue to impact Indigenous peoples today? From its roots in European settler colonialism to its widespre...

This past weekend, Bryce Edwards, Corey Shefman, and Darian Baskatawang had the incredible opportunity to join the 2024 Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot, hosted by the Faculty of Law at Thompson Rivers University.

We're proud to have sponsored this event and enjoyed connecting with law students from nearly every law faculty across Canada!

OKT is proud to announce that we have once again been recognized as a national leader by Lexpert and have been ranked as “Most Frequently Recommended” in the area of Aboriginal Law.

We are also pleased to share that 17 of our lawyers have been ranked in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, as experts in their field.

OKT would like to thank our peers for recognizing the quality of the work that we do, and as always we are grateful to our clients for letting us be part of their struggle for justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Click here for more details: https://bit.ly/49Rq0oQ

We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural episode of the OKT podcast!

In this debut installment, Jesse Abell, Krista Nerland, and Judith Rae discuss the intricacies of Bill C-92 and a recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, issued on Friday, February 9. This decision, referred to in the episode as the C-92 reference, pertains to the constitutionality of legislation concerning First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families.

Throughout the program, our speakers shed light on the following key points:
- The origins of the Act and how it operates
- Why the Act was being challenged and what the Supreme Court of Canada had to say about the challenge
- The implications for First Nations across the country

Click on the link below to access the episode.
https://www.oktlaw.com/okt-podcast-overview-of-the-reference-on-bill-c-92/

This morning, the Supreme Court of Canada released a unanimous decision in the C-92 Reference (Attorney General (Quebec) v Attorney General (Canada), 2024 SCC 5.) The Court said that An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families, SC 2019 c 24 is constitutional. The decision is an important win for Indigenous peoples exercising their jurisdiction over child and family services.

OKT lawyers Maggie Wente, Krista Nerland and Jesse Abell were honoured to represent the intervener Chiefs of Ontario, who intervened on First Nations’ inherent and s. 35 right to self-government.

Click on the link below to read our latest blog post.
https://www.oktlaw.com/supreme-court-upholds-first-nations-rights-to-self-govern-in-child-and-family-services/

There aren’t many truly pristine spaces left in North America, but the Seal River Watershed in Northern Manitoba is one of them. As the homeland of Dene, Cree and Inuit peoples since long before Europeans came to this land, it is the perfect location for Manitoba’s first Indigenous Protected Area.

Recently, the parties announced a memorandum of understanding between the Seal River Watershed Alliance, Canada, and Manitoba, to work towards the creation of an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) covering the Seal River Watershed.

Click on the link below to read our latest blog post written by Corey Shefman.

https://www.oktlaw.com/manitobas-seal-river-watershed-embarks-on-a-historic-journey-to-become-an-indigenous-protected-area/

OKT is delighted to welcome Chris Roberts to our team as a Winter Placement Student in our Toronto office!

After over three decades devoted to advocating for the rights of Indigenous communities across Canada, we are honoured to celebrate the remarkable career of Roger Townshend and formally announce his well-deserved retirement from the OKT partnership.

We thank Roger for his hard work and contribution in helping make OKT what it is today and wish him all the best as he enters retirement.

As of January 1, 2024, Roger is continuing to provide his expertise as Senior Counsel at OKT.

Congratulations to OKT Articling Student, Jolene Ashini, who was recently featured in the St John's Telegram article, "Meet Jolene Ashini: Soon to be the first Labrador Innu lawyer in N.L." on her imminent call to the bar.

Read the full article here:

Meet Jolene Ashini: Soon to be the first Labrador Innu lawyer in N.L. | SaltWire Among her many achievements she was awarded the Royal Society of Canada's Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize

OKT is pleased to announce that John Olthuis has been appointed as Member of The Order of Canada. This honour, one of the highest in the country, is a testament to John’s exceptional dedication and extraordinary contribution to the pursuit of seeking justice for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

The Order of Canada is a recognition reserved for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to our country, symbolizing one of the highest accolades attainable by Canadians.

Please join us in congratulating John for this truly remarkable achievement.

Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3TFyeLO

We are proud to announce the addition of two exceptional lawyers, Ashley Stacey and Corey Shefman, to the OKT partnership, effective January 1, 2024. Since joining OKT, Ashley and Corey have contributed to the success of the firm with their unwavering dedication, passion and profound commitment to our clients. We look forward to seeing them grow into their new roles as they continue doing important work as Partners at OKT.

Please join us in congratulating Corey and Ashley on achieving this wonderful career milestone.

We are delighted to announce that Cathy Guirguis has been elected OKT’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024.

Since 2007, Cathy has demonstrated unwavering dedication as a valued member of OKT, advancing Aboriginal and treaty rights through her expertise in litigation and negotiation. While she continues her work with Indigenous communities across Canada, Cathy will now also play a pivotal role in fostering the firm's growth and spearheading new initiatives as lead for OKT’s management team.

We would like to thank and recognize Renée Pelletier for her commendable service and commitment as OKT's Managing Partner during her tenure.

OKT remains steadfast in its core purpose: advocating for Indigenous rights, interests, and self-determination. Our success is rooted in the strength of our client relationships, the exceptional talent within our team, and unwavering dedication to our clients’ success – however they define it.

Click to read more: https://bit.ly/41ttPxp

On December 11, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced legislation setting standards for clean, safe drinking water on First Nations reserves, in connection with the 2021 First Nations Drinking Water Class Action Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”).

To learn about the legislation, click on the link below to read our latest blog post written by James Shields, Bryce Edwards and Nancy Carlson Jones.

bit.ly/4877hVg

OKT is pleased to announce that we have been recognized by The Globe and Mail, and have been included in their list of Canada’s Best Law Firms 2024 for our work in the area of Aboriginal Law and/ or Indigenous Law.

Click for more info: https://bit.ly/3FZegmX

On Remembrance Day, we reflect and honour the courage and dedication of those who have served, sacrificed and continue to fight for our freedom.

On November 1, 2023, an important aboriginal and treaty rights case was released by the Quebec Superior Court, R. v. Montour and White. In our newest blog post, OKT Associate, Krista Nerland provides a brief initial overview of the decision. Click on the link below to read the full post and stay tuned for a detailed analysis of this case and its potential implications in the weeks ahead.

https://t.co/p819N0bq09

OKT is delighted to welcome Beth Kotierk to the firm as an Associate in our Toronto office!