Land and Resources Management

Land management laws provide a framework for the administration of land, cultural heritage, the environment, and natural resources.

Whate is the First Nations Land Management Act?

Canada’s First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA) empowers First Nations to replace sections of the Indian Act with community-developed land codes. This gives communities independent control over land management. First Nations that pursue this course can create their environmental laws and establish rules that facilitate economic development.

Land and resources management expertise

Our lawyers work with First Nations to assist with drafting environmental laws and land codes that balance environmental and economic goals for a sustainable future. We have assisted local governments in drafting by-laws and policies to regulate planning and environmental protection of Indigenous land and natural resources.  Our lawyers assist with strategic planning, by-laws, permits, designations, leases, and agreements for the use and occupation of reserve land.

Safe drinking water

Our lawyers advised both the 2002 Walkerton Inquiry and the 2005 Expert Panel on Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for First Nations.  Since then, our lawyers have advised local governments and First Nation governments about the regulatory processes for safe drinking water, and source water protection policies.  Our lawyers assist First Nations governments in selecting standards and advise about oversight risks and responsibilities.

Indigenous-led impact assessment

Our lawyers assist clients with federal, provincial, and territorial impact assessment legislation and processes. Impact assessments are planning processes that assess the economic, social, and environmental effects of projects that may affect Indigenous communities. As an alternative to government-led environmental impact assessments, Indigenous-led impact assessments may be established by and led by Indigenous governments.  

Learn more about how we can help with impact assessments.

Archaeology, burial and cultural sites

Our lawyers assist clients in developing cultural heritage protection plans and policies. We advise about the application of heritage statutes and provincial processes governing the protection of cultural and burial sites including negotiating site disposition agreements, and archaeology review and field monitoring agreements.

Land claims

We advise about negotiation, interpretation, and implementation of land claims, treaty land entitlement, and additions to reserves as they relate to Indigenous rights, resource development, and environmental protection.

Learn more about how we can help with land claims.

Contact our Indigenous legal issues lawyers today

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Yellowknife. Our lawyers are called to the Bar in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Ontario.

To speak with an Indigenous Legal Issues lawyer, contact us today.