Stephanie Willsey

Lawyer

Vancouver Office

Indigenous LawIndigenous Law - Indigenous GovernanceIndigenous Law - Aboriginal & Treaty RightsIndigenous Law - Specific ClaimsPublic & Constitutional LawClass Actions & Civil Litigation

Stephanie is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and a trusted advisor to First Nations communities, organizations, and individuals. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, negotiations, and strategic advisory work involving First Nations’ rights, government accountability, and the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Crown. Stephanie has extensive experience representing First Nations communities and individuals in large-scale class actions, representative proceedings, constitutional matters, and claims involving the Indian Act. She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Her experience includes significant proceedings involving First Nations safe drinking water, housing, child and family services, and Indigenous rights. She also regularly advises clients on treaty and Indian Act rights, specific claims, the duty to consult, UNDRIP, governance matters, and on-reserve taxation. Stephanie is a proud member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and sits in the marten clan. She serves on the Board of Directors of APTN and on the Steering Committee for the Digital Media at the Crossroads Conference. She previously served on the Board of the Indigenous Bar Association and has participated as a delegate at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the European Union Working Group on Indigenous Populations. Stephanie received her Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia, with a specialization in Indigenous Legal Studies, and her Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2019.