David Nahwegahbow recognized by Law Society

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LAW SOCIETY OF UPPER CANADA

****************************** David Nahwegahbow, I.P.C., of Whitefish River Nation, receives the Law Society Medal from Law Society of Upper Canada CEO Malcolm Heins at a special ceremony in Toronto on May 25.

He is one of eight Ontario lawyers honoured for their outstanding achievements and commitment to serving society and the profession.

Mr. Nahwegahbow was among the early Indigenous lawyers in Canada and has dedicated his career to providing legal services to First Nations communities and leaders.

He is a founder and former president of the Indigenous Bar Association.

****************************** About David Nahwegahbow

David C. Nahwegahbow, I.P.C., Whitefish River First Nation, called to the Ontario Bar in 1982

David Nahwegahbow, who was among the early Indigenous lawyers in Canada, has had a distinguished career as a lawyer dedicated to providing legal services to First Nations communities and leaders.

He was instrumental in the creation of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA).

As a founder and former president of the IBA, an active participant in the University of Ottawa’s mentoring programs and through his support of articling students, he has played an integral role in championing an increase in the number of Indigenous people practising law.

As the founding partner of Nahwegahbow, Corbiere, a firm which since 1995 has restricted its practice to the area of Aboriginal law and acted exclusively for First Nations interests, Mr. Nahwegahbow is widely lauded for inspiring First Nations communities with confidence in the administration of justice.

He has represented First Nations on economic and development issues, land claims negotiations and litigation and governance matters.

Mr. Nahwegahbow made significant contributions to the cause of Indigenous rights and entitlement in the planet’s forest resources, as chairman and board member of the Forest Stewardship Council (1998 – 2004).

In recognition of his tireless advocacy work on behalf of Indigenous peoples, Mr. Nahwegahbow received the Indigenous People’s Counsel designation from the IBA (2003).

He was co-chair of the Joint Committee of Chiefs and Experts on the Recognition and Implementation of First Nations Government, Assembly of First Nations, and has been recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as a leading lawyer in the field of Aboriginal law.

He is also listed in the Best Lawyers® in Canada peer review list in the specialty of Aboriginal law.

He has received many honours and accolades throughout his career, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Law and Justice from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (2008).

In the same year, he was awarded the Anishnabek Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes men and women who have devoted their lives to the service of their communities and the Anishnabek Nation.

He was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society, Ottawa University (2010) - the highest honour bestowed upon the University’s Faculty of Law alumni.

Mr. Nahwegahbow holds an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa (1980).

His law practice is located on Rama Reserve, Ontario.

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