Melinda Skeels*
Assistant: Raquel Handel
Melinda is an accomplished and dedicated legal advisor to First Nations on governance, litigation, consultation with industry and government, economic development and regulatory matters. As counsel on many groundbreaking cases in the area of Indigenous law, she has also has extensive experience in:
- Treaty implementation, including drafting legislation
- Policy development and negotiation with industry
- Drafting legislation for Bands under the Indian Act and other federal legislation
Melinda frequently appears in all three levels of court in BC and before various administrative tribunals, including the British Columbia Utilities Commission, the National Energy Board and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Tribunal.
Melinda completed her articles at Ratcliff LLP in 2008 and has been in practice with the firm since. In her spare time, she is an avid sea kayaker, camper and traveller, usually snapping at least a few photos along the way.
News, Publications & Presentations
- Next step in fight to protect Nechako fisheries and Aboriginal rights
- Court finds Rio Tinto Alcan harming Nechako fisheries and infringing Aboriginal rights
- Court allows Saik’uz and Stellat’en First Nation to seek new declaratory relief in Alcan Claim
- Squamish Nation and Coldwater Indian band celebrate victory against Trans Mountain expansion project
- B.C. promotes breastfeeding for infants in government care after court ruling
In The Community
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Fellow, University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre Associate’s Program
- Director and Board President (past), Georgia Straight Alliance
Year Of Call
- British Columbia, 2008
Education
- B.A. (with Distinction) Anthropology, University of Victoria, 2000
- J.D., University of Victoria, 2007