Ava G. Murphy^

Partner

Contact Details

Ava G. Murphy

Email

Assistant: Bronwen Luck

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She/Her

As a partner at Woodward and Company, Ava’s practice spans the fields of Aboriginal rights and title, the duty to consult and accommodate, the Crown’s obligations to First Nations, treaty rights and negotiation, and other litigation, negotiation and advocacy work aimed at reconciliation. 

Ava was one of the lead counsel securing the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation’s Aboriginal title to their stl’ulnup (sacred homeland) at Tl’uqtinus, and associated fishing rights: Cowichan Tribes v Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490. She has represented myriad First Nations communities, fiercely negotiating and pursuing justice on their behalf.

Ava is a member of the Law Societies of BC and Northwest Territories. She is gratefully from Anishinaabe and Dakota territory in Minnesota.

^Denotes a ULC

Membership & Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia (2011)
  • Member, Law Society of Ontario (2016 -2019)
  • Member, Law Society of Northwest Territories (2023)

Practice Areas

  • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
  • Aboriginal Title
  • Consultation and Accommodation
  • Governance support
  • Housing
  • Specific Claims
  • Strategic Reconciliation Planning
  • Treaty Negotiation and Implementation

Selected Presentations & Publications

Cowichan Tribes et al v Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490 representing Cowichan Nation successfully ensuring recognition of Aboriginal Title for Tl’uqtinus Village Lands and Aboriginal Right to Fish.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg v Canada (2016 to present)
(Aboriginal title)

Ehattesaht First Nation v British Columbia, 2014 BCSC 849
(Duty to consult on the economic aspect of aboriginal title)

Randy Saugstad v Tolko Industries Ltd (2012-2013)
(Environmental public-interest litigation)

Doig River First Nation and Blueberry River First Nations v Canada (2012-2015)
(Breach of fiduciary duty in acquiring reserve lands)

Ahousaht Indian Band and Nation et al v Canada (2014-2015)
(Unjustified infringement of aboriginal right to fish and sale)

Wet’suwet’en First Nation v CN Rail (2012-2015)
(Environmental nuisance and negligence for flooding a reserve)

“Overcoming Barriers to Accessing the Courts – Judicial Notice in Section 35(1) Litigation”, November 2025. Author and Faculty.

Aboriginal Title Litigation: Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General) 2025, October 2025. Faculty.

“Protecting Traditional Knowledge as Privileged”, November 2024. Author.

“Presenting Your Argument on Judicial Review”, with Gregory J. McDade, QC. The Fundamentals of Judicial Review (British Columbia: Continuing Legal Education, 2014).

Pandora Park Community Garden: former treasurer and founding member

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