PRACTICE
Whether research or litigation, Michael’s focus is the rights of indigenous peoples in Canadian and international human rights law. Michael has assisted in leading cases on consultation and accommodation. He is also involved in preserving the oral history evidence of elders for court hearings.
BACKGROUND
Michael grew up on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. He taught philosophy in Texas before coming to British Columbia first to study and then to practice law. He is the author of First Nations Sacred Sites in Canada’s Courts (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2005).
Litigation
Michael was co-counsel in:
- Ke-Kin-Is-Uqs v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), (BC Supreme Court),
- Wii’litswx v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), (BC Supreme Court)
- Joseph v. Canada (Federal Court - Advance Costs),
- Cook v. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (BC Supreme Court),
- Inquest into the Death of Savannah Hall (Coroner's Court), and
- Xats'ull First Nation v. Director, Environmental Management Act (Environmental Appeal Board).
RECENT TALKS AND PAPERS
Michael’s recent talks and papers include:
- “Un espacio constitucional para los pueblos indígenas: la ambivalente experiencia canadiense,” Revista internacional de filosofía política, (Ejemplar dedicado a: Justicia Intercultural), 39-70 (No. 3, 2009) [to read online, see here].
- “Disciplining the Crown on Consultation: The Second Hupacasath Case,” First Nations Summit, North Vancouver, British Columbia (27 November 2008).
- “Equality Rights and/or Aboriginal Rights? The Inadequacy of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Aboriginal Rights Jurisprudence,” Facultat de Dret, Universitat de Girona. Girona, Spain (22 October 2008).
- “The Creation of Constitutional Space for Indigenous Peoples: Canada’s Ambivalence,” International Seminar on Intercultural Justice: Minority Groups and Normative Conflicts in Pluralistic Societies/Seminario internacional, Justicia intercultural: Conflictos normativos e integración de minorías en las sociedades plurales, Palacio de la Aljafería, Zaragoza, Spain (20-21 October 2008); and
- “Reflections on the Reconciliation of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in Light of Aristotle’s Account of Friendship,” Seminario Justicia Intercultural, Centro de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain (17 October 2008).
EDUCATION
- University of British Columbia, 2003, LL.B.
- University of Toronto, ABD in Philosophy
- University of St. Thomas, 1992, M.A. in Mediaeval Philosophy
- University of Toronto, 1990, M.A. in Philosophy
- University of Alberta, 1986, B.A. (Honours First Class) in Philosophy
