J. Berry Hykin*

Partner

Contact Details

J. Berry Hykin

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Assistant: Lori Glaseman

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Berry works closely with Indigenous peoples to build legal and administrative tools to support effective self-governance, promote Indigenous legal orders and protect Indigenous traditions and ways of life. A careful listener and creative thinker, she always looks for ways to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into innovative and practical legal solutions that reflect and respect the unique needs and perspectives of the people and communities she serves. Berry brings a lifelong passion for learning and knowledge sharing to her practice. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Indigenous peoples in the ongoing project of achieving self-determination.

Berry obtained a BA (honours, with distinction) in Classical Studies from the University of Victoria and Boston College (2002), and a J.D. from the University of Victoria (2005), where she took an intensive Indigenous Legal Studies program.

Berry has been with Woodward & Company since 2004, when she first joined as a student. She was called to the BC Bar in September 2006, the Alberta Bar in January 2011 and has training in civil mediation and family law mediation.

As part of her commitment to sharing knowledge, Berry regularly presents at conferences and workshops, has appeared as a guest instructor at UVic Law, and volunteers her time to speak to high school students and others about the law and Indigenous rights whenever the opportunity presents.

*Denotes a Law Corporation

Membership & Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia (2006)
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Past Member, Law Society of Alberta (2011)
  • Member, Victoria Bar Association
  • Victoria County Representative, CBABC Provincial Council
  • Practice Coach, CBABC

Practice Areas

  • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
  • Employment and Human Rights
  • First Nation Constitutions, Laws & Policy
  • Governance support
  • Housing
  • Impact Benefit Agreements
  • Indigenous Legal Orders and Law
  • Land Code
  • Land Interests
  • Membership Code
  • Taxation & Fiscal Management (FAL)
  • Treaty Negotiation and Implementation
  • Wills and Estates

Selected Presentations & Publications

“A National Online Conversation on Indigenous Laws – The Federal Contraventions Act: a possible tool for enforcement?”, presentation with Murray Browne (W&Co) and Andrew Beynon (LABRC), Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre Webinar Workshop, June 2020

“Indigenous Nations and COVID-19”, presentation Canadian Bar Association BC, Aboriginal Law Joint Section Meeting, Webinar, May 2020.

“Collective Rights Under Canada’s Constitution”, Joint presentation with Paul Yearwood (AGBC), Mark Power (Juristes Power Law) and Madelaine Mackenzie (Juristes Power Law) Canadian Bar Association Law Series, Webinar, June 2018.

“Wilson v. Atomic Energy: Where Do We Stand?”, Joint presentation with Geoff Howard (Roper Greyell) and Martin Sheard (Tevlin Gleadle Curtis) Canadian Bar Association Labour Law and Employment Law Joint Section Meeting, Vancouver, B.C. December 2016

“Contaminated Sites on First Nation Lands”, 2016 Site Remediation in B.C. Conference – B.C. Ministry of Environment. Vancouver, BC, September 2016.

“Development on First Nations Lands Laws of General Application”, Real Estate Development on First Nation Lands – Pacific Business & Law Institute. Vancouver, BC, September 2016.

“Developing and Revising an Effective Housing Policy”, First Nations Housing Strategies – Infonex Professional Development, Vancouver, BC, March 2016.

“Housing Authorities: Pros, Cons and Best Practices”, Workshop on Housing Authorities – Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, Nanaimo, BC, March, 2016

“Legal and Regulatory Framework for Structural Fill and Solid Waste Management On-Reserve”, Fill & Commercial Solid Waste Workshops – Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, Chilliwack and Duncan, BC, February and March, 2016.

“Legislative Implications of Environmental Management Under Land Code” & “Strategies for Enforcement of Environmental and Other Laws Under Land Code”, Environmental Management and Land Use Workshop – First Nations Lands Management Resource Centre. Saskatoon, SK, October 2015.

“Environmental Regulation on Reserve”, Real Estate Development on First Nation Lands – Pacific Business & Law Institute. Vancouver, BC, February 2014. Co-presented with Eamon Murphy.

“First Nations Issues in Employment Law”, Employment Law Conference – Continuing Legal Education Society of BC. Vancouver, BC, May 2012. Co-written with Leah Mack.

“The Different Types of Land Interests on Reserve”, Insight: Aboriginal Land Resources and Management Forum. Vancouver, BC, February 2012. Presented for Gary Campo.

“First Nations Governments as Employers”, Employment Law Conference – Continuing Legal Education Society of BC. Vancouver, BC, May 2010. Co-written with Eamon Murphy and Leah Mack.

“Accommodation – How Does Consultation Get There?”, University of Alberta – Working Forum on the Duty to Consult. Edmonton, AB, October 2009. Moderator.

“HST: Implications for First Nations Governments and Businesses”, Annual National Forum on First Nations Property Taxation – First Nations Tax Administrator’s Association. Edmonton, AB, September 2009. Co-presented with Heather Mahoney.

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