Blaney McMurtry has a longstanding commitment to providing experienced and professional legal services to the Indigenous peoples of Canada, whether those services are required to assist communities in their administrative responsibilities, with land claims, self-government initiatives, litigation or the organization and development of commercial transactions.

Indigenous Law

• Settlement of major land claims in Alberta and Ontario
• Joint venture of First Nation and major oil company for on-reserve oil and gas development
• Self-government negotiations
• Tendering and contracts for major capital projects
• Funding and permits for reserve manufacturing operation
• Changes in Government's section 18 land use policy
• Drafting of By-Laws and Membership Codes
• Litigation of major treaty rights cases such as Agawa
• Court interventions in major Indigenous rights cases such as Guerin, Sparrow and Bear Island
• General advice and legal assistance to First Nations and to Provincial, Territorial and National Associations
• Support to native community organizations
• Numerous publications, seminars and speeches on issues of Indigenous peoples' rights
• Advising in connection with potential gaming operations on First Nation territories

Related Business Law Experience

• Advising in connection with ownership structure and financing of privately owned power generating facilities
• Legal advice to institution financing private electrical generating facilities
• Advising First Nations in connection with negotiations with public utilities such as Ontario Hydro and Bell Telephone
• Acting as counsel for private interests and governmental authorities at environmental review hearings
• Drafting Trust Agreements and related advice in the implementation of land claim settlements