Claire Truesdale

Claire Truesdale is a Partner at JFK Law LLP practicing Aboriginal and constitutional law with a focus on Aboriginal and treaty rights litigation, specific claims, and major negotiations. She works to make court and tribunal processes more transparent, accessible and culturally responsive for Indigenous leadership and community members. Claire has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and at the Specific Claims Tribunal, Federal Court, and Supreme Court of Canada. She has expertise in matters relating to fisheries, water rights and governance, legal interests in reserve land, Indian registration (status), and Indigenous membership or citizenship. She has a thriving intervention practice in significant Aboriginal law cases and appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada in two of the most significant Aboriginal law cases in the last few years: Quebec (Attorney General) v. Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan and Reference re An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Claire practices across Canada, primarily in British Columbia and Alberta. She is the former Chair of the Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (2021-2022) and of the Aboriginal Law – Vancouver Island Subsection (2016-2018).