COVID-19: How we’re delivering and maintaining service for our clients. LEARN MORE About Us Areas of Practice Resources Contact Us (604) 988-5201 Governance Ratcliff LLP has over 40 years of experience in providing governance-related services to First Nations. We know that there is strong evidence that communities’ success depends in part on strong governments and administrations that have clear and efficient processes that are transparent and accessible. In our First Nations Governance practice, we provide advice on the full range of governance matters for First Nations classified as “bands” under the Indian Act, for Tribal Councils and similar governance organizations, and for Nations that have implemented treaties, including: Development and drafting of laws, regulations, policies and by-laws Government procedure Structure and relationships between Aboriginal governments, their administrations and their businesses Employment matters and human rights issues Structuring independent decision-making bodies within First Nations (review boards, administrative tribunals) Privacy and access to information Elections Implementing, from a governance perspective, control over child and family services so that First Nations can regain meaningful control over the protection of their own children. We provide advice in relation to and draft laws under the Indian Act, the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, and various treaty arrangements. In fact, our lawyers were heavily involved in the development of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act and the regulations relating to the Financial Management Board. We also have extensive experience with the First Nations Land Management Act and have prepared land codes under that Act for several First Nations. We also have an extensive background in First Nation property taxation and service agreements with local governments. Ratcliff LLP has also been involved in creation of a regulation under the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act. This regulation will establish a development regime that incorporates Provincial law to establish a registry that parallels the Provincial land title system and that replicates the Strata Property Act and other Provincial law. The system permitted by this regulation would allow a First Nation to grant leasehold strata interests that are almost identical to those created under the Provincial land title system and could facilitate condominium and strata development and the financing of those developments. Ready when you are Our lawyers offer a broad range of experience and expertise, with a client-first philosophy to help you achieve your goals. GET IN TOUCH Ratcliff LLP 500 – 221 West Esplanade North Vancouver BC V7M 3J3 Phone: (604) 988-5201 Fax: (604) 988-1452 General: admin@ratcliff.com Real Estate: realestate@ratcliff.com Corporate: corp@ratcliff.com Areas of Practice Aboriginal Law Personal & Business Law Public Law About Us Our Firm Our Lawyers Careers LET'S TALK Resources News Publications Contact Us © 2020 Ratcliff LLP. Privacy policy | Terms of use