Gary Campo*

X̱eyx̱kinem

Partner

Contact Details

Gary Campo

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Assistant: Jenna Hamilton

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In his role of partner at Woodward and Company, X̱eyx̱kinem (Gary’s) work primarily focuses on a general practice for Indigenous governments. His current practice spans settlement negotiations, business transactions, taxation, economic development, reserve infrastructure projects, environmental remediation, band governance, leasing, contractual and employment matters, and ‘Indian’ status issues.

In addition to a general practice, Gary has an extensive background specializing in Aboriginal rights and title. He was part of the core legal team that successfully established Aboriginal rights and title for the Tsilhqot’in Nation, where he assisted in drafting the final argument and was instrumental in working with elders and experts to present oral history and expert evidence to the court.

Gary was born in North Vancouver and is a member of the Squamish Nation. He first joined the firm as a co-op student in 1999 and returned as an articled student in 2000. He was then called to the bar in British Columbia in 2001.

Gary is the recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Scholarship Award, the Keith B. Jobson Award and the Chief Michael Underwood Award for leadership, community interest and academic excellence with respect to Indigenous issues.

*Denotes a Law Corporation

Membership & Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia (2001)
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association (2001)
  • Executive Member of the CBA National Aboriginal Law Section (2007-2011)
  • Treasurer of the CBA National Aboriginal Law Section (2005-2007)
  • Secretary of the CBA National Aboriginal Law Section (2002-2005)
  • Executive Member of the CBA Aboriginal Law Subsection, Vancouver Island (2007-Present)
  • Member of the BC Law Society Equity and Diversity Committee Working Group (1999, 2004-2005)
  • University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Co-President, Indigenous Law Students Association (1998)
  • University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Vice President, Indigenous Law Students Association (1998)
  • University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Treasurer, Indigenous Law Students Association (1997)
  • University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Student Law Society, First Year Class President (1997)

Practice Areas

  • Aboriginal Title
  • Contaminated Sites
  • Corporate and Commercial Law
  • Employment and Human Rights
  • Governance support
  • Impact Benefit Agreements
  • Indian Status
  • Land Code
  • Land Interests
  • RIRSD & G2G Agreements
  • Secured Transactions
  • Strategic Reconciliation Planning
  • Taxation (ITA, PST, GST)
  • Taxation & Fiscal Management (FAL)

Selected Presentations & Publications

Cowichan Tribes v. Cowichan Valley Regional District, Filed November 8, 2012, Victoria Court Registry No:  VIC-S-S-123844.

Cowichan Tribes et al v. Cowichan Valley Regional District, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Attorney General of Canada, Filed November 8, 2012, Victoria Court Registry No: VIC-S-S-123845.

Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2007 BCSC 1700 (leave to appeal granted, final SCC decision in 2014 SCC 44) (the Tsilhqot’in aboriginal title and aboriginal rights trial judgment)

“Oral History Does Make a Difference: Tsilhqot’in v BC et al”, National Aboriginal Law Conference, Indigenous Perspectives Influence Canadian Law – Canadian Bar Association. Yellowknife, NWT, February 2008.

“Do Aboriginal Laws Make a Difference: Tsilhqot’in v BC et al”, CBA, National Aboriginal Law Conference: Working With and Within Indigenous Legal Traditions. Victoria, B.C., April 11-12, 2013.

“The Different Types of Land Interest on Reserves”, Insight: Aboriginal Land Resource and Management Forum. Vancouver, B.C., January 31 – February 1, 2012.

“Land Interests on Reserve”, Native Court Worker & Counselling Association of British Columbia, Aboriginal People and the Law Programme. Vancouver, B.C., April 15, 2011.

“Oral History in the Evidentiary Context”, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Evidence Course, July 2009.

“Overlaps in the Business Context (Trusts, Tax, and Business Structure Planning)”, Moderator and Organizer, National Aboriginal Law Conference, Overlapping Territory Claims: Models for Dispute Resolution and the Business Context – Canadian Bar Association. Victoria, BC, June 2009.

“Tax Exemptions Available to First Nations”, First Nations Taxation Workshop. Duncan, B.C., November 2008.

“Williams (aka Tsilhqot’in) v. BC et al: The Challenges & Success with Oral History”, Aboriginal Title Conference. Westbank, BC, January 2008.

“The Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal Title Case”, Assembly of First Nations, Special Chiefs Meeting. Ottawa, ON, December 2007.

“The Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal Title Case: What Does it Mean?”, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Special Chiefs Meeting. Vancouver, B.C., November 2007.

“Oral History Used in the Courts”, CBA National Aboriginal Law Section, Federal Court Liaison Meeting, Presentation to the Federal Court. Manitoba, MB, March 2007.

“Oral History, Sword or Shield?”, World on the Edge Conference – Society for Applied Anthropology. Vancouver, BC, March 2006.

“Obstacles in Putting Oral History Before the Court”, Aboriginal Law Vancouver Island Section – Canadian Bar Association. Victoria, BC, October 2005.

“What is Aboriginal Title?”, Naghataneqed Secondary School, Nemiah Valley, BC, 2002.

Indigenous Business and Economic Development in Canada. Canadian Business Law, (4th Ed.). Co-Authored Chapter 8, Emond Publishing, Toronto, 2023.

First Nation Business Structures. Business Organizations: Practice, Theory and Emerging Challenges, (2nd Ed.). Co-Authored Chapter Four, Emond Publishing, Toronto, 2016-2017.

“From LPs to LLPs: How First Nations Businesses Can Structure Partnerships to Minimize Tax Liabilities”, National Aboriginal Law Conference: Building Indigenous Economies: Aboriginal Economic Development in Canada – Canadian Bar Association. Membertou, NS, June 11-12, 2015.

Do Aboriginal Laws Make a Difference: Tsilhqot’in v BC et al”, National Aboriginal Law Conference: Working With and Within Indigenous Legal Traditions – Canadian Bar Association. Victoria, BC, April 11-12, 2013.

“Oral History Does Make a Difference: Tsilhqot’in v BC et al”, National Aboriginal Law Conference, Indigenous Perspectives Influence Canadian Law – Canadian Bar Association. Yellowknife, NWT, February 2008.

 

Gary loves spending time with family, softball, golf, history, and listening to old-timer stories.

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