Join colleagues from across the northern territories at our annual collaborative conference – hosted by the CBA Yukon, NWT, Nunavut and British Columbia branches!

Lawyers of all experience levels and in all areas of practice will benefit from this cross-jurisdictional conference, featuring engaging sessions that include:

• Words from The Honourable Chief Justice S.H. Smallwood, Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, and The Honourable Ron Veale, former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Yukon.
• Perspectives on UNDRIP from the Federal government and the Territories.
• Contemplations on Corporate Commercial Law and the intersection with Indigenous Law.
   

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your colleagues from across Canada. Come for the education and leave with lasting connections!

*Agenda may be subject to change. This timed agenda references Mountain Time (MT).

9:55-10:05am | SIGN-IN TO VIRTUAL CONFERENCE


10:05-10:10am | WELCOME AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Jessi Casebeer, President, CBA Northwest territories
 

10:10-10:30am | OPENING REMARKS
Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
 

10:30-11:45am | NORTHERN AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON UNDRIP: 
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
This panel will provide a northern and national perspective on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. The Declaration has established a framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world. In Canada, B.C. (2019) and the federal government (2021) have enacted frameworks to implement the Declaration, and the NWT government created a mandate to implement it in cooperation with Indigenous governments.  Panel members will discuss the progress and challenges of implementing the Declaration in Canada, with a focus on the three territories.

Moderated by Beth Kotierk
Merle Alexander, KC, Principal Lawyer, Miller Titerle
Anne-Marie Guedon, Manager Indigenous Affairs Unit, Government of Northwest Territories
Sylvie McCallum Rougerie, Legal Counsel, Aboriginal Law Centre, Department of Justice Canada
Sherri Helgason, Director of Governance and Reporting, UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat, Department of Justice Canada
Andrée-Anne Mallette, Senior Program & Policy Analyst, UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat, Department of Justice Canada
William David, Director, Legal Affairs at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

11:45-12:00pm | VIRTUAL HEALTH BREAK

12:00-1:00pm | VIEW FROM THE BENCH: WALKING OUR PATH - TWO JUDGES REFLECT ON CANADA'S RECONCILIATION JOURNEY

Moderated by Bruce Warnsby, President, CBA Yukon, and Thomas Wallwork, Past President, CBA Northwest Territories

The Honourable Chief Justice S.H. Smallwood, Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories
The Honourable Ron Veale, former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Yukon 

1:00-2:00pm | FOLLOWING THE PATH: COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE NORTH
Pat Haughian and Tim Syer discuss the intricacies of commercial relationships between Indigenous groups and Industry partners, including the requirements and benefits of the Inuit Firm Registry, corporate structuring, and a case study on capacity building.

Tim Syer, Partner, Lawson Lundell LLP
Pat Haughian, Partner, McLennan Ross LLP

2:00pm | CONCLUDING REMARKS

2:05-2:35pm | VIRTUAL NETWORKING SOCIAL
After the conference concludes, hang back and take part in our virtual networking opportunity to mix and mingle with colleagues from across the territories. Select from a variety of breakout rooms to join discussions of interest to you, while introducing yourself to a vast community of lawyers at your fingertips!