2022
A Guide to Canadian Indigenous Law
Jack Woodward, Q.C., is a practicing lawyer specializing in Indigenous law. With a law firm in Campbell River, Jack is a longtime advocate for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of Canada, and has been on the forefront of Canada’s relationship with aboriginal communities for decades.
The designation “Q.C.” comes from his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 2011 for his dedicated work in his field. Jack specializes in aboriginal rights and title work and prepared the first draft of what would eventually become section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Learn MoreWoodward: Litigation and Advocacy
Jack and his associates have a Canada-wide practice focused on Aboriginal Law. This firm is independent, and is not associated with the lawyers Woodward and Company in Victoria. He was an Instructor and Adjunct Professor of Law with the University of Victoria for 16 years. He was key in helping to develop the university’s first-ever credit course in Indigenous law. Visit our News and Events to find out more about Jack’s work.
Jack is the author of Aboriginal Law in Canada, Canada’s leading publication on the topic, and is the editor of Consolidated Aboriginal Law Statutes, Regulations and Treaties. He also co-wrote Sechanalyagh, a book of gratitude, in partnership with former Chief Roger William. Read more about Jack’s published work.
Since he began practicing law in the 1970s, Jack has represented 100+ First Nation communities, groups and organizations in a breadth of notable court cases including the groundbreaking Tsilhqot’in Nation case, which was the first successful Aboriginal title claim in Canada.
Jack and his firm are not actively seeking new clients, but remain open to tackling a case of serious injustice, and welcomes all visitors to his site and questions you may have about his work.
Learn More
2020
Fort McKay First Nation v. Prosper Petroleum Ltd
2018
Fort McKay First Nation v. HMTQ Alberta
Nuchatlaht files Further Amended Notice of Civil Claim for declaration of Aboriginal Title
Nuchatlaht v British Columbia, 2018 BCSC 796 (CanLII)
2014
Tsilhqot'in Nation v. BC
Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, [2014] 2 SCR 257, 2014 SCC 44 (CanLII)
Aboriginal Law in Canada
Aboriginal Law is a comprehensive collection of all the laws in Canada relating specifically to Aboriginal people. International law, constitutional law, statute, common law and custom are all covered.
