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Ewa Holender - Lawyer | Ratcliff LLP

Ewa Holender

Associate

Legal Assistant & Paralegal:
Czarlina Alibasa-Mendoza

Education

  • BPP Law School, UK, 2005
  • B.A. (Hons), Cambridge University, UK, 2004

Year Of Call

  • Yukon, 2018
  • British Columbia, 2017
  • England & Wales, 2008

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

Ewa is a skilled advisor to First Nation governments, with a focus on the implementation of self-governance, law making and negotiations with the Crown. She has represented First Nations in BC and the Yukon on issues ranging from land and resource stewardship, establishing protected areas and land use planning, to education, child and family services and data stewardship.

Before joining Ratcliff, Ewa acted as Legal Counsel for the Ministry of the Attorney General in British Columbia with a focus on Indigenous legal relations, natural resources and the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. She has also worked for a leading international law firm in London, England and at the United Nations. She graduated in law from the University of Cambridge.

In her spare time Ewa enjoys ski touring, mountain biking, road cycling, running and any other excuse to be outdoors. She volunteers as a ski instructor for people with disabilities and organizes an annual 1,000km bike ride across Eastern Europe to raise money for local hospices. She is passionate about creating positive change and proud to support Indigenous nations to achieve their goals.

  • Advised on the first consent agreement under s.7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
  • Negotiated, drafted and implemented a protocol for consultation on environmental and socio-economic assessment of projects under a modern treaty in BC.
  • Advised on delivery of child and family services by provincial government and a First Nation, including negotiations, establishment of working protocols and funding agreements.
  • Advised on review and restructuring of a First Nation economic development group of companies, including transfer of assets, review of business plans, appointment of a receiver-manager, and re-negotiation of key agreements with commercial partners.
  • Negotiated with territorial government and drafted an agreement regarding construction of a major infrastructure project through First Nation Traditional Territory.
  • Advised on a First Nation’s interactions with the Yukon Water Board and on effective participation in a hearing in the public interest on the issue of mining in wetlands.
  • Advised on the development and implementation of land use plans under Yukon Final Agreements, including the establishment of new co-managed protected areas, interim protection measures, and the development of operating standards for mining projects.
  • Advised on reform of mining and forestry legislation to ensure consistency with treaty and Aboriginal rights.
  • Vice-President, Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, Vancouver (2013 – Present) – Local organization providing ski instruction for people with disabilities
  • Founder & Chief Executive, Alina Foundation, UK and Poland (2009 – Present) – Two charities providing medical equipment for terminally ill and disabled adults and children
  • Board Member, BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, Vancouver (2016 – 2020) – Provincial non-profit providing wheelchair basketball programs
  • Director, Education & Outreach, Rick Hansen Foundation, Vancouver (2013-2016) – Leading Canadian disability charity

Ewa is a skilled advisor to First Nation governments, with a focus on the implementation of self-governance, law making and negotiations with the Crown. She has represented First Nations in BC and the Yukon on issues ranging from land and resource stewardship, establishing protected areas and land use planning, to education, child and family services and data stewardship.

Before joining Ratcliff, Ewa acted as Legal Counsel for the Ministry of the Attorney General in British Columbia with a focus on Indigenous legal relations, natural resources and the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. She has also worked for a leading international law firm in London, England and at the United Nations. She graduated in law from the University of Cambridge.

In her spare time Ewa enjoys ski touring, mountain biking, road cycling, running and any other excuse to be outdoors. She volunteers as a ski instructor for people with disabilities and organizes an annual 1,000km bike ride across Eastern Europe to raise money for local hospices. She is passionate about creating positive change and proud to support Indigenous nations to achieve their goals.

  • Advised on the first consent agreement under s.7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
  • Negotiated, drafted and implemented a protocol for consultation on environmental and socio-economic assessment of projects under a modern treaty in BC.
  • Advised on delivery of child and family services by provincial government and a First Nation, including negotiations, establishment of working protocols and funding agreements.
  • Advised on review and restructuring of a First Nation economic development group of companies, including transfer of assets, review of business plans, appointment of a receiver-manager, and re-negotiation of key agreements with commercial partners.
  • Negotiated with territorial government and drafted an agreement regarding construction of a major infrastructure project through First Nation Traditional Territory.
  • Advised on a First Nation’s interactions with the Yukon Water Board and on effective participation in a hearing in the public interest on the issue of mining in wetlands.
  • Advised on the development and implementation of land use plans under Yukon Final Agreements, including the establishment of new co-managed protected areas, interim protection measures, and the development of operating standards for mining projects.
  • Advised on reform of mining and forestry legislation to ensure consistency with treaty and Aboriginal rights.
  • Vice-President, Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, Vancouver (2013 – Present) – Local organization providing ski instruction for people with disabilities
  • Founder & Chief Executive, Alina Foundation, UK and Poland (2009 – Present) – Two charities providing medical equipment for terminally ill and disabled adults and children
  • Board Member, BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, Vancouver (2016 – 2020) – Provincial non-profit providing wheelchair basketball programs
  • Director, Education & Outreach, Rick Hansen Foundation, Vancouver (2013-2016) – Leading Canadian disability charity

Year Of Call

  • Yukon, 2018
  • British Columbia, 2017
  • England & Wales, 2008

Education

  • BPP Law School, UK, 2005
  • B.A. (Hons), Cambridge University, UK, 2004