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Hannah McDonald First Nations economic development lawyer BC Yukon | Ratcliff LLP

Hannah McDonald

Associate
604-988-5201

Legal Assistant & Paralegal: Marcia Zacharias

Education

  • J.D., University of British Columbia, 2010
  • B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2004

Year Of Call

  • British Columbia, 2011
  • Yukon, 2012

Interview on CBC As It Happens about BC Court of Appeal decision on private medical records, April 2023 (at 47:30)

Hannah provides legal advice to First Nations in B.C. and the Yukon on a variety of interrelated and complex matters. Her practice encompasses a diverse range of areas, including treaty negotiations and implementation, inter-governmental negotiations, and First Nations governance and jurisdiction.

With a solid foundation in Aboriginal rights and title, Indian Act matters, and governance issues, Hannah is dedicated to supporting Indigenous reconciliation and self-determination in areas such as Indigenous child and family services and Aboriginal title.

In her corporate and commercial law practice, Hannah advises on economic development and Indigenous business initiatives, including commercial transactions, development projects, and sales and leasing agreements. Furthermore, she works alongside clients on environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance matters, developing sustainable practices that integrate Indigenous values.

As a member of the Esketemc First Nation, Hannah brings a unique perspective to her work, prioritizing equity and prosperity for all Indigenous communities.

  • Negotiated Reconciliation Agreement between Stz’uminus First Nation and the Province of BC in 2022 
  • Succeeded in arguing a breach of fiduciary duty by Canada against the Osoyoos Indian Band as the first claimant to be heard in by the Specific Claims Tribunal (Osoyoos Indian Band v. HMTQ, 2012 SCTC 3)
  • Director, Small Business BC 
  • Director, Westhaven Gold Corp. 
  • Member, Women Get on Board and ICD 
  • Member, BC Cancer Foundation Inspiration Gala Committee 
  • Volunteer, Federal Liberal campaign, Jody Wilson-Raybould 
  • Served for three years as executive on the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum 
  • Served for three years on the NAIOP Developing Leaders Committee 
  • Served for one year on the ICSC Next Generation Committee 

Hannah provides legal advice to First Nations in B.C. and the Yukon on a variety of interrelated and complex matters. Her practice encompasses a diverse range of areas, including treaty negotiations and implementation, inter-governmental negotiations, and First Nations governance and jurisdiction.

With a solid foundation in Aboriginal rights and title, Indian Act matters, and governance issues, Hannah is dedicated to supporting Indigenous reconciliation and self-determination in areas such as Indigenous child and family services and Aboriginal title.

In her corporate and commercial law practice, Hannah advises on economic development and Indigenous business initiatives, including commercial transactions, development projects, and sales and leasing agreements. Furthermore, she works alongside clients on environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance matters, developing sustainable practices that integrate Indigenous values.

As a member of the Esketemc First Nation, Hannah brings a unique perspective to her work, prioritizing equity and prosperity for all Indigenous communities.

  • Negotiated Reconciliation Agreement between Stz’uminus First Nation and the Province of BC in 2022 
  • Succeeded in arguing a breach of fiduciary duty by Canada against the Osoyoos Indian Band as the first claimant to be heard in by the Specific Claims Tribunal (Osoyoos Indian Band v. HMTQ, 2012 SCTC 3)
  • Director, Small Business BC 
  • Director, Westhaven Gold Corp. 
  • Member, Women Get on Board and ICD 
  • Member, BC Cancer Foundation Inspiration Gala Committee 
  • Volunteer, Federal Liberal campaign, Jody Wilson-Raybould 
  • Served for three years as executive on the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum 
  • Served for three years on the NAIOP Developing Leaders Committee 
  • Served for one year on the ICSC Next Generation Committee 

Year Of Call

  • British Columbia, 2011
  • Yukon, 2012

Education

  • J.D., University of British Columbia, 2010
  • B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2004