Law Practice Sustainable Development Law
Merle C. Alexander practices corporate/commercial law with a particular focus on Aboriginal sustainable economic development law. This area of law places equal emphasis on economic development needs, respect for Aboriginal rights and conservation of the environment for future generations. Merle provides a wide range of solicitor services to Aboriginal clients including advising them on: purchase and sale of businesses; structuring of joint ventures, limited partnerships and corporations; drafting and negotiating commercial and residential leases on and off reserve lands; incorporating non-profit corporations and charitable organizations; and negotiating interim measures and impact benefit agreements. Particular Aboriginal sustainable development project experience includes: - Alaska Highway Pipeline Project: Legal advice and drafting of an Impact-Benefit Agreement and Traditional Knowledge Protocol between the Kaska Nation and Foothills Pipelines Ltd.
- Casino of the Rockies: Assistance of the Ktunaxa Kimbasket Tribal Council (KKTC) in its realization of their $41.6M world-class destination casino in the south-eastern Kootenay region of BC.
- Campbell River Casino: Assistance of the Campbell River Indian Band in its proposed development of an $8M casino, being developed as a part of a $29M resort complex located in Campbell River, BC.
- Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures: Provision of restructuring and commercial leasing advice to the Northwest Coast Aboriginal Art & Gift Gallery owned and operated by the Campbell River Indian Band, or the Wei-Kai-Kum First Nations people.
- Nis'ma Sustainable Silviculture Limited Partnership: Provision of incorporation and structuring advice of an Aboriginal limited partnership focussing on sustainable forestry harvesting and reforestation best practices for the Nuu-chah-nulth.
- On and Off-Reserve Projects: Provided commercial and residential leasing advice for developments both on and off-reserve for multiple First Nation clients in the Yukon and BC.
Treaty Negotiations
With respect to self-government and comprehensive claims agreements, Merle has provided legal support to negotiation tables literally from coast to coast, from West Vancouver Island to Labrador. Merle is deeply committed to self-determination through negotiated agreements and has been involved in negotiations for over 10 years, as researcher before law school and throughout his career. He provides legal research, drafting, and policy and legal strategy advice for his clients. Currently, Merle represents clients in British Columbia and Yukon in this area.
Traditional Knowledge Protection
Merle also has a professional and personal interest in the protection of Aboriginal intellectual property rights, particularly traditional knowledge. In this area, Merle has negotiated treaty chapters on Heritage Resources; drafts traditional knowledge protocols; and represents national Aboriginal organizations in various international forums, including the World Intellectual Property Organization's Inter-Governmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore and Convention on Biological Diversity meetings. Merle has a long term commitment to the preservation of Aboriginal intellectual property through equitable contractual agreements, legislative reform and participation in the development of domestic and international treaties. Bar Admissions
British Columbia (2000)
Ontario (2001)
Yukon Territory (2002) Education
University of Victoria, LL.B. (1999)
University of Victoria, B.A. (1994) Professional and Other Activities - Director and President of Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society.
- Director of Research Ethics Board for the Vancouver Foundation.
- Director of West Coast Environmental Law.
- Director to the Swiss Government?s Advisory Committee of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)/Stratos Inc. - Access and Benefit Sharing Management Tool Project.
- Chair of International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity's Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
- Member of the Canadian Bar Association's Aboriginal Law Section and the Indigenous Bar Association
Representative Clients
Assembly of First Nations
Kaska Nation
Pauktuutiut -- Inuit Women''s Association
Kitasoo Xai'' Xais First Nation
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