Developments in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law 2025

October 28 & 29, 2025 at 9:00AM PDT

Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar

Developments in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law 2025

October 28 & 29, 2025

Overview

Discover the evolving landscape of Aboriginal and Indigenous law in Canada at PBLI’s annual conference covering the latest developments in this dynamic field. Staying informed is crucial for advisors to effectively support their clients whether they be First Nations, Indigenous individuals, businesses or provincial and federal government. Join us as we bring together leading experts who will delve into the latest developments in litigation, governance and economic development, offering practical insights and strategic guidance. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the field of Aboriginal and Indigenous law. Don’t miss your chance—register today to ensure you’re prepared for what lies ahead.

Key Areas Addressed:

  • New developments in Indigenous rights and Aboriginal title

  • Major resource projects on Indigenous lands

  • Balancing economic development and cumulative impacts

  • The impacts of recent landmark court decisions

  • An update on treaty negotiations

  • The Crown’s duty to negotiate and consult

  • Litigation practice tips

Who Should Attend:

  • Lawyers practising in the areas of Aboriginal law, administrative law, and business law

  • Aboriginal leaders, officials, councillors, elders, negotiators, administrators, and advisors

  • Owners, managers and representatives of resource development companies and companies operating on Crown land

  • Federal, provincial and municipal government officials and policy advisors

  • Consultants, accountants, financial planners, and others assisting First Nations with financial matters and business operations

Agenda

Day One - October 28, 2025

9:00 - Welcome and Introduction by PBLI

9:05 - Chairs’ Welcome and Introduction

Robert J. M. Janes, KC
JFK Law

Elizabeth Jordan
JFK Law

9:10 - Indigenous Land Rights and Private Property

Renée Pelletier
Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP

  • A discussion of Wolastoqey Nations v New Brunswick and Canada, et.al., 2024 NBKB 21 and Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation v the Town of South Bruce Peninsula et al., 2024 ONSC 2827

10:00 - Questions and Discussion

10:10 - Refreshment Adjournment

10:25 - Mining Agreements on Indigenous Territory

Elizabeth Jordan
JFK Law

  • One Nation’s experience with mining agreements

  • Cumulative impacts

  • The role of Indigenous legal systems

11:15 - Questions and Discussion

11:25 - Federal and Provincial Major Project Approval Reform: Implications for Indigenous Peoples

Bruce McIvor
First Peoples Law

  • UNDRIPA and its implications on the duty to consult

  • Implications for Nations opposed to projects

  • Limits (if any) on recognition of provincial environmental assessment regimes

12:15 - Questions and Discussion

12:25 - Networking Lunch

1:30 - Economic Development in a Self-Governing Nation

Chief Councillor Wilfred Cootes
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government

Chief Councillor John Jack
Huu-ay-aht First Nations

  • After the self-government agreement

  • Implications of the duty to consult and accommodate

2:30 - Questions and Discussion

2:45 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks

2:55 - Forum Concludes for Day One

Day Two - October 29, 2025

9:00 - Welcome and Reflections on Day One

Robert J. M. Janes, KC
JFK Law

Elizabeth Jordan
JFK Law

9:10 - The Dickson Decisions and Developments in Applying the Charter

Peter Millerd
Mandell Pinder LLP

  • How has Dickson been treated in court?

  • Implications for traditional self-government

10:00 - Questions and Discussion

10:10 - Refreshment Adjournment

10:25 - An Overview of Cowichan Tribes v Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490

Tim Dickson
JFK Law

  • A summary of the case and the issues at play

  • The judgment and key outcomes

  • Impacts of the decision

11:15 - Questions and Discussion

11:25 - An Update on Treaty, Recognition, and Reconciliation Negotiations

Mark Stevenson
Mark L. Stevenson Law

Robert Freedman
Aird & Berlis LLP

  • Recent reconciliation agreements

  • Progress on recent treaties

  • Shared Territory/Overlap issues

12:15 - Questions and Discussion

12:25 - Networking Lunch

1:25 - Has the Supreme Court Recognized a Duty to Negotiate in Good Faith?

Robert J. M. Janes, KC
JFK Law

  • Evolving SCC jurisprudence on remedies

  • Recent judicial statements on duty to negotiate in good faith

  • What does good faith negotiation require

  • What happens if breaches occur

2:15 - Questions and Discussion

2:25 - Refreshment Adjournment

2:40 - Update on Practice and Procedure in Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Litigation

Mary Locke Macaulay
Mandell Pinder LLP

  • Availability of declaratory relief

  • Class proceedings

3:30 - Questions and Discussion

3:40 - Current Developments and Issues in the Duty to Consult and Accommodate

Scott A. Smith
Aird & Berlis LLP

Sabrina Spencer
Aird & Berlis LLP

  • Effect of UNDRIP on the duty to consult and accommodate

  • Significant duty to consult cases in 2025

4:30 - Questions and Discussion

4:40 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks

4:45 - Forum Concludes



Meet the Co-Chairs

Meet the Faculty


Registration Form

Program:

Developments in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law 2025

Date:

October 28 & 29, 2025

Location:

UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street - Classroom level), Vancouver, BC

Registration:

The registration fee is $1,465.00 plus GST of $73.25 totaling $1,538.25 for webinar and in-person attendance. Registration fee covers your attendance at the program and electronic materials. In-person attendance includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Early Bird Discount:

Register by September 29, 2025 and receive a $200 discount on the registration fee ($1,265.00 plus GST). Discounts cannot be combined.

Group Discount:

Register four persons from the same organization at the same time and you are entitled to a complimentary fifth registration. Discounts cannot be combined.

If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form and email it to registrations@pbli.com:

DOWNLOAD FORM

Payment:

You may pay by VISA, Mastercard or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to the Pacific Business & Law Institute and mailed to Unit 2-2246 Spruce Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2P3. Please do not send cheques via courier with signature required.

When and Where:

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. (PDT). UBC Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street in Vancouver, BC, and our event will take place on the classroom level. Please visit https://robsonsquare.ubc.ca/find-us/ for directions.

Materials:

The faculty will prepare papers and/or other materials explaining many of the points raised during this program. Materials will be distributed electronically. Please contact us at registrations@pbli.com if you are unable to attend the program and wish to purchase a set of materials.

Cancellations/Transfers:

Refunds will be given for cancellations (less a $60.00 administration fee) if notice is received in writing five full business days prior to the program (October 21, 2025). After that time we are unable to refund registration fees. Substitutions will be permitted. We reserve the right to cancel, change or revise the date, faculty, content, availability of webinar or venue and transfer in-person registration to webinar registration for this event.

To register by phone:

Telephone us: 604-730-2500

Your Privacy:

We will keep all information that you provide to us in strict confidence, other than to prepare a delegate list containing your name, title, firm and city for our faculty and the program delegates. We do not share our mailing lists with any non-affiliated organization.

Course Accreditation:

Course Accreditation: Attendance at this course can be listed for up to 11 hours of continuing professional development credits with the Law Societies of BC and Ontario. For practitioners in other jurisdictions, please check your governing body’s CPD requirements.


If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form (DOWNLOAD FORM) and email it to registrations@pbli.com; for individual registration, please continue with form below.