Murray W. Browne

Lawyer

Email: murray@woodwardandcompany.com

Profile

Murray is a versatile lawyer with degrees in law, languages and public administration. He has been involved in aboriginal law and Treaty negotiations for more than a decade. He is legal counsel for several First Nations in the forefront of Treaty negotiations and also works on Specific Claims, and aboriginal rights and title litigation. He is committed to using rights and title to leverage economic and community development.

Murray has a diverse background: he has worked as a land-use planner, GIS consultant, office manager, mediator and governance consultant. His legal practice includes environmental, mining, forestry and municipal law. He has worked with numerous First Nations on mining, forestry and protection of watersheds and has also worked with a number of First Nations to improve relations with local governments and negotiate fairer servicing and tax agreements.

Murray is committed to helping First Nations to protect their heritage and culture. He is on the Leadership Council heritage and culture committee, has dealt with numerous archaeological issues with the Arch Branch, and has successfully applied for trademarks to protect First Nation petroglyph images.

Murray also has an extensive background in governance, land use management and taxation and works with First Nations on electoral codes, Land Codes, tax bylaws and laws, and implementation of good governance, taxation and land management practices.

Professional Standing:

Member, Law Society of B.C. (1994)
Masters, Public Administration, University of Victoria, 1995
Member of Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Victoria, 2008

Professional Awards:

Law Foundation Scholarship 1990
Ladner Downs Advocacy Prize - Outstanding appellate advocacy.
Silver Medal: Gale Moot, Toronto - Undefeated: mooted before Mme. Justice L’Heureux-Dubé.
University Publisher’s Award - Most all-round contribution to UVic Law School and community.

Hugh Stephen Shield - UVic Law School Mooting Champion.

Selected Cases, Publications, Papers & Presentations:

Snuneymuxw First Nation v. British Columbia, 03 3135, Victoria Registry (log booming in the Snuneymuxw estuary).
Sliammon First Nation v. British Columbia, #07 1717, Victoria Registry (judicial review of geoduck aquaculture tenures).
Snuneymuxw v. HMTQ et al., 2004 BCSC 205 (partly successful injunction by First Nation against log booming in the Nanaimo River Estuary)
Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, [2007] B.C.J. No. 2465, 2007 BCSC 1700 (leave to appeal granted, 2009 BCCA 83) (the Xeni Gwet’in aboriginal title and aboriginal rights case – Nemiah Valley)

Whitefish Lake Band of Indians v. Canada, 2007 ONCA 744 (successful intervention on question of whether Canada should pay interest to First Nations for historical breaches)

“The Promise of Delgamuukw and the Reality of Treaty Negotiations in B.C.”, Chapter 17 of Aboriginal Law Since Delgamuukw, Canada Law Book, 2009.

“Negotiating Protocol Agreements for Treaty Overlap Areas”, CBA National Aboriginal Law Conference (June 12-13, 2009)

“The Proof is In the Putting: Clam Gardens as Proof of Aboriginal Title”, Northwest Anthropological Conference, Victoria, B.C. (April 24, 2008)

“Will You Respect Me in the Morning: Is Funding Part of Meaningful Consultation?”, EAGLE Educational Forum, (November 18, 2005)

Strategic Planning And Policy Development [66k]

Agreements and Disagreements between Local Governments and First Nations [5.3 MB]

Working Together: Improving First Nations and Local Government Coordination and Cooperation in Planning [70k]

Other Activities:

To name a few: Spending time with his family, playing music (piano, guitar and vocals), sailing, kayaking, SCUBA, Advanced Ham Radio operator, coach and all-round athlete.