Brad Regehr. (Submitted photo/ Maurice Law group)

By Nigel Maxwell

Inspiring people

Canada’s top lawyer hopes to inspire more indigenous youth

Sep 6, 2020 | 12:03 PM

The first indigenous president of the Canadian Bar Association has a Saskatchewan connection.

Brad Regehr was born and raised in Manitoba but is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (Sandy Bay). His one year term officially started on Sept 1.

“It’s only been a few days now and still feels a little surreal,” he told paNOW on Friday.

Regehr was elected vice-president last year, and with that comes the eventual promotion to president the following year. When asked if he thought his promotion may help encourage more first nations youth to follow in his footsteps, Regehr replied he hoped so.

“If I have done something to cause indigenous kids to go ‘you know what I wanna be a lawyer too’ then I’m really happy that I’ve been able to help them do that,” he said. “And I would certainly say if that’s what you want to do, do it, don’t give up, and be prepared to work hard.”

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Regehr has been a lawyer for 23 years and currently works for the Maurice Law group at their Winnipeg office, dealing mainly with aboriginal law such as land claims, commercial transactions, and governance issues. Part of his newfound responsibilities includes acting as a spokesperson for the organization both nationally and internationally.

“Certainly we are doing work on the truth and reconciliation commission as an organization and I’m proud to be continuing to do that work. We put a plan in place a year and a half ago, and we are implementing that plan,” he said.

According to Regehr’s profile on the Maurice Law website, he was part of the legal team that successfully defended a challenge to a First Nation’s tax laws under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, the first litigation involving that statute.

He has also been involved in arbitrations and litigation concerning the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement.

Regehr takes over from Vivene Salmon, who last year became the organization’s first president of colour.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell