Last week, Cochrane Sinclair LLP reaffirmed its leadership in Indigenous law by co-chairing and presenting at the Indigenous Governance 2025 conference, hosted by the Pacific Business and Law Institute in Vancouver and streamed live to audiences across the country. The one-day event brought together First Nations leaders, legal practitioners, academics, and policy experts for a full day of dialogue focused on practical, community-driven models of Indigenous governance.
Max Faille (Managing Partner, Vancouver Office) and Aaron Christoff (Partner) served as co-chairs of the event. Together, they helped shape the agenda and delivered cornerstone presentations on Indigenous self-government, custom codes, and child welfare jurisdiction. Their contributions reflected both deep legal expertise and firsthand experience supporting Indigenous communities through complex transitions in governance and law-making.
Rebuilding Indigenous Governance: Why It Matters
Opening the conference, Max Faille provided a wide-ranging overview of the evolution of Indigenous self-government in Canada. He reflected on how the removal of traditional governance systems disrupted communities, and how modern legal frameworks can support their restoration.
Drawing on examples like the James Bay Cree and the self-governing nations of the Yukon, Faille outlined the tangible benefits of Indigenous-led governance systems. He referenced data from the federal government’s own community well-being index, noting that the highest scores are found in self-governing communities, while many of the lowest scores remain among First Nations still under the Indian Act.
Faille also pointed to findings from the Harvard Project on Native American Economic Development, which showed that Indigenous communities thrive when governance structures align with traditional values and community legitimacy. Where externally imposed models replaced ancestral systems, communities suffered. Where governance structures reflect cultural foundations, outcomes improve.
“This work matters,” Faille said. “Self-government is not just about authority. It is about alignment, restoration, and trust. And we are seeing real results when communities reclaim that space.”
Legal Tools and Custom Codes: Putting Theory into Practice
Aaron Christoff followed with remarks that grounded these big-picture ideas in day-to-day reality. As a Nehiyaw (Cree) citizen of Saulteau First Nations, Christoff spoke with personal and professional conviction about the critical work of reclaiming Indigenous control over membership, leadership, and legal identity.
Later in the day, Christoff led a detailed presentation on drafting election laws and membership codes. He walked attendees through the legislative options available to First Nations, with a focus on custom codes developed under Section 10 of the Indian Act and those negotiated through modern self-government agreements.
Drawing from his work on the Whitecap Dakota Nation self-government treaty, Christoff shared insights into how to draft codes that are both legally sound and culturally grounded. He emphasized community engagement, clarity, and internal coherence, and offered guidance on navigating complex questions around eligibility, charter compliance, and dispute resolution.
“These documents are not just policies,” Christoff explained. “They are a reflection of who you are as a community. They carry identity, responsibility, and history. Getting them right is essential, not only for legal stability but for collective confidence in governance.”
Reforming Child Welfare: Sonny Cochrane on Bill C-92 and Community Control
Closing the day’s agenda was Sonny Cochrane, K.C. (Co-Managing Partner) and one of Canada’s foremost legal voices on Indigenous child welfare reform. His session on the implementation of Bill C-92 focused on how First Nations are using federal legislation to rebuild jurisdiction over child and family services.
Cochrane discussed the challenges and opportunities created by coordination agreements, federal funding structures, and the intersection of provincial and Indigenous law. He spoke to the harm caused by adversarial systems that remove children from their communities and place them in non-Indigenous homes. He offered a clear alternative, rooted in prevention, family unity, and cultural responsibility.
He emphasized that meaningful reform goes beyond legal language. It requires rebuilding systems that reflect Indigenous worldviews, protect children, and support families through trauma.
“There is no future for child welfare without community,” Cochrane said. “The days of apprehending children first and asking questions later have to end. We need to support families before crisis, not after.”
He also addressed questions around funding inequities, jurisdictional conflicts, and how Indigenous laws can carry the force of federal legislation when drafted and implemented properly. His remarks reflected years of hard-earned experience advising First Nations across Canada, and left participants with both inspiration and practical direction.
A Day Grounded in Learning, Experience, and Momentum
Max Faille closed the event with heartfelt reflections on the value of gathering with peers, communities, and colleagues in a shared space of purpose.
“Every time this conference comes around, I go through the same cycle,” he said. “I wonder why I agreed to it, feel overwhelmed as the day approaches, and then the moment it starts, I remember. This is why. The exchange, the clarity, the stories, the breakthroughs. It always delivers more than expected.”
Following the conference, Cochrane Sinclair hosted a reception at its Yaletown office, creating space for continued conversations, informal networking, and connection beyond the panel format. It was a fitting end to a day built on collaboration and mutual respect.
Cochrane Sinclair: A National Voice in Indigenous Law
From opening remarks to detailed legal training, Cochrane Sinclair’s involvement in Indigenous Governance 2025 reflected its deep commitment to legal excellence, cultural awareness, and reconciliation through action. The firm continues to work alongside Indigenous governments to advance sovereignty, restore legal systems, and shape the next generation of Indigenous law in Canada.
As conversations around jurisdiction, identity, and governance continue to grow in complexity and urgency, Cochrane Sinclair remains a trusted partner in doing the hard work well. Not just in conference rooms, but in communities, in courtrooms, and across every level of legal transformation.
