Gowlings offers first Canadian publication on Aboriginal governance law

7 April 2006

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and LexisNexis Canada Inc. today announced the launch of First Nations Governance Law, 2006 Edition, the first Canadian publication on the growing area of Aboriginal governance law. Authored by Gowlings Partners Brian A. Crane, Robert Mainville and Martin W. Mason, First Nations Governance Law describes Aboriginal governance as an aspect of Aboriginal sovereignty and current issues of Aboriginal governance law.

Providing both a theoretical framework of recent legislative and policy developments and practical advice on issues including Indian band membership, elections for Chief and Council and dispute resolutions, First Nations Governance Law will benefit Aboriginal Lawyers, Band Administrators, Councils, Policy Advisors and Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) Officials.

"Brian Crane, Martin Mason and I collaborated on this project utilizing our expertise in the area of Aboriginal law and we are delighted to offer Canada's first book on the subject," says Robert Mainville, the Leader of Gowlings' Aboriginal Law National Practice Group. "First Nations Governance Law will provide up-to-date information about the Aboriginal communities that are negotiating land claims and self-government agreements."

Published by LexisNexis Canada, First Nations Governance Law includes a history and overview of the Indian Act as it pertains to Aboriginal governance issues, recent federal legislative initiatives and self-government agreements and pointers on handling elections for Chief and Council. Additional special features include the most current regulations, DIAND policy statements, case summaries of federal cases up to August 2005 and a checklist of steps a band should take when assuming control of its membership or moving from elections under the Indian Act to custom elections.

About the Authors

Brian A. Crane, M.A., LL.B., Q.C., is a senior Member and Partner of the Gowlings Advocacy Law Group in the Ottawa office. He practises constitutional, administrative and aboriginal law.

Robert Mainville, LL.L., LL. M., is a Partner in Gowlings' Montreal office and the Leader of Gowlings' Aboriginal Law National Practice Group. A long-time expert in Aboriginal law, he has close to 30 years experience in administrative and constitutional law and commercial law.

Martin W. Mason, M.A., LL.B., is the managing Partner of Gowlings' Ottawa office and a member of the Firm's Executive Committee. His areas of specialization include administrative law, constitutional law and civil litigation.

About Gowlings

Gowlings is a leading Canadian law firm offering a diverse range of services to help domestic and international organizations achieve their business objectives. Recognized for excellence in business, advocacy and intellectual property law, Gowlings provides dedicated industry expertise in a number of sectors including energy, infrastructure, life sciences, financial services and technology. The Firm combines traditional legal services with innovative solutions in areas such as transfer pricing and tax, government relations and occupational health and safety, to provide business entities with a competitive advantage. Characterized by national strength and regional focus, Gowlings has 700 professionals across offices in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo Region, Calgary and Vancouver. The Firm also provides intellectual property services in Russia and the CIS through its office in Moscow. Visit us at www.gowlings.com.

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Source: newswire

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