Aboriginals, Sustainable Economic Development & Recent Supreme Court Decisions-Lawyer Bernd Christmas

Ryerson University’s Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility is pleased to present a talk by lawyer and Mi’kmaq member Bernd Christmas, exploring the recent Tsilhqot'in and Keewatin decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada, and their implications for Aboriginals and sustainable economic development in Canada. The talk will take place on Monday, September 22, 2014 from noon to 1:30pm at Ryerson University in Toronto (details below). The event is co-sponsored by the Ryerson CSR Student Association, the Ryerson Commerce and Government Association, the Ryerson MBA Mining Stream, and the Chang School Mining Management Certificate. There is no admission for this event, but seating is limited, and you must register in advance at: http://ryerson-csr-institute-aboriginals-sus-devpmnt.eventbrite.ca

Canada’s courts, governments, aboriginal communities, resource development companies, and a host of other interlocutors are involved in a long and complex process of working out the basic legal approach structuring resource development on aboriginal lands in Canada. In July of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada issued two decisions (the Tsilhqot'in and Keewatin decisions) that have added a new layer of understanding concerning the Court ‘s perspective on how that legal framework should operate. The exact implications of these two decisions on the shape, process, and nature of resource development on aboriginal lands – for aboriginals, for governments, for the private sector, and other affected interests -- are now being debated. The purpose of this talk is to benefit from the ideas and perspectives of Bernd Christmas, who is well positioned to shed light on where we are now in light of the Supreme Court decisions, and possible next steps flowing from these decisions.

About Bernd Christmas

Bernd Christmas is a partner in Cassels Brock's Aboriginal Law Practice and a member of the Mi’kmaq community of Membertou. The primary focus of Mr. Christmas’s practice is Indigenous economic development. As former Chief Executive Officer of the Membertou Band of Nova Scotia and the Membertou Corporate Division and as a negotiator for several First Nations bands, Mr. Christmas is well positioned to articulate a nuanced understanding of Indigenous perspectives flowing from the recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions. Mr. Christmas was the first Mi’kmaw to become a lawyer in Canada. Prior to joining Cassels Brock he worked at a large national firm to expand their Indigenous practice before going on to found The Bernd Christmas Law Group, offering advice and assistance to First Nations, industry and government organizations in various aspects of regulatory matters and policy setting. He is a former member of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board and of the executive committee organizing the Governor General’s Conference on Leadership and Diversity. He has been a Director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Keltic Petrochemcials Inc. Mr. Christmas is currently a Director on the board of Investors Group and the Indigenous charity Outside Looking In.

Event Details at a Glance:

Title: Aboriginals, Recent Supreme Court Decisions & Sustainable Economic Development

Speaker: Bernd Christmas

Time: Monday, September 22, 2014, 12 noon to 1:30 pm

Location: Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, 55 Dundas West, Toronto, ON, Room TRS 3-109, 55 Dundas West, Toronto

To register: http://ryerson-csr-institute-aboriginals-sus-devpmnt.eventbrite.ca

For further information concerning the Ryerson CSR Institute, go to: - http://www.ryerson.ca/csrinstitute/

Or contact Dr. Kernaghan Webb - kernaghan.webb@ryerson.ca

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