Kennedy A. Bear Robe Partner


Speaks:  English

Year of Call: 2021 - Northwest Territories

Year of Call: 2021 - Ontario

Year of Call: 2015 - Alberta

Year of Call: 2013 - British Columbia

Primary phone: +1 604-891-2758

Secondary phone: +1 416-369-6187

Fax: +1 604-683-3558

Email: kennedy.bearrobe@gowlingwlg.com

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Primary office:  Vancouver

Secondary office:  Toronto



Kennedy A. Bear Robe

Kennedy A. Bear Robe is a member of Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law Group in Vancouver.

His advocacy includes representing clients before the Federal Court of Appeal, British Columbia Supreme Court and Alberta Court of King's Bench, as well as federal and provincial regulatory hearings and environmental assessments.

Kennedy offers practical advice and counsel to clients. He advises Indigenous Nations throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and the Northwest Territories on Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

In particular, Kennedy advises regional and local Indigenous governments on major natural resource development, infrastructure and energy projects. Kennedy also works with select non-Indigenous businesses and governments on these matters.

Additionally, Kennedy is counsel to a regional Indigenous government negotiating its inherent right to self-government.

Kennedy's business law practise includes providing advice to Indigenous economic development corporations and businesses on equity transactions, corporate governance, commercial transactions, negotiation and formation of joint ventures and partnerships, as well as procurement processes.

Kennedy is Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot), a member of the Siksika Nation, and loves hunting, reading and art. He is results-oriented, collaborative, a team-player and passionate about helping Indigenous governments to advance rights-based negotiations and strategic litigation.

Career & Recognition

Filter timeline:
  • 2023

    • Career
      January 2023
      Director, Siksika Nation Group of Companies
  • 2022

  • 2021

    • Rankings & Awards
      August 2021
    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2021
      Year of Call, Northwest Territories
    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2021
      Year of Call, Ontario
  • 2015

    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2015
      Year of Call, Alberta
  • 2013

    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2013
      Year of Call, British Columbia
  • 2012

    • Education
       2012
      University of British Columbia, JD

Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association (B.C. Branch)
  • Indigenous Bar Association

Presentations

  • Speaker for "Cultural Competency for Lawyers" through The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia on September 17-18, 2018.
  • "Revenue Sharing: A New Fiscal Relationship," CBA Annual Aboriginal Section Conference, June 8-9, 2018, Whitehorse.
  • "The State of Reconciliation: The Current Legal and Political Leadership," Gwich'in Tribal Council - 2018 Academic Conference, University of Alberta, March 5-9, 2018, Calgary.
  • Keynote on Canada's Bill C-69, an Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act, and Indigenous Process Considerations, Indian Resource Council of Canada (IRC) Annual General Meeting, March 6-7, 2018, Edmonton.
  • Presentation on the Natural Resource Transfer Agreements, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Lands and Resources Forum, April 11, 2018, Winnipeg.
  • "Indigenous Law Issues 2017," Law Society of Upper Canada Continuing Professional Development Program, November 22, 2017, Toronto.
  • "Indigenous Consultation BC - Economic Development and Employment," Canadian Institute, September 19-21, 2017, Prince George, BC.
  • "Key Agreements Between Industry and First Nations: Achieving Certainty and Fairness," Pacific Business and Law Institute, April 4, 2017, Vancouver.
  • "Building Aboriginal Relationships in BC", Canadian Institute, September 21, 2016, Vancouver.
  • "North of 60: Actualizing the True Economic Potential," May 31 and June 1, 2016, Yellowknife, NT.
  • Aboriginal Law Conference 2015, CLEBC, November 6, 2015, Vancouver.
  • Keynote luncheon speech (panel) on resource development activities and bringing economic development opportunities to Aboriginal communities, National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference, September 17, 2015, Osoyoos BC.
  • "Building Aboriginal Relationships in BC," Canadian Institute, November 25-26, 2014, Vancouver.
  • National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference, September 9-11, 2014, Osoyoos, BC.
  • "2nd Mining Agreements," Federated Press, April 15-16, 2014, Vancouver.
  • "Western Aboriginal Consultation & Negotiation," Canadian Institute of Energy, February 11-12, 2014, Edmonton.

Publications

  • "Case Commentary: Gitxaala Nation v. Canada, 2016 FCA 187," Aboriginal Law Update, July 2016.
  • "Case Commentary: Coastal First Nations v. British Columbia (Environment), 2016 BCSC 34," Aboriginal Law Update, February 2016.
  • "The New New Relationship: Legal, Political and Business Implications of the Tsilhqot'in Decision," Aboriginal Marketplace, 2015.
  • "SCC Ruling on Aboriginal Title: Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 and Significant Changes to the Legal Landscape," Aboriginal Law Update, July 2014.