The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is proud and delighted to announce that its chair, Doug White (Kwulasultun), has been awarded the honourary title of Queen’s Counsel for the Province of B.C. – a designation that recognizes Canadian lawyers for exceptional merit and contributions to the legal profession.
Queen’s Counsel candidates must be nominated and meet a stringent criteria. Recipients of the designation must demonstrate professional integrity, good character and be acknowledged by their peers as leaders in their area of law. Additionally, they must have a history of outstanding work in the fields of legal education or legal scholarship.
“Doug is certainly deserving of this title. He is a gifted practitioner and a tireless advocate for Indigenous People,” says Rosalie Yazzie, BCFNJC vice-chair and lead director on First Nations Courts. “His track record shows years of dedication and commitment to First Nations and numerous organizations that have, in turn, benefited from his leadership, expertise and advocacy. On behalf of the BC First Nations Justice Council, we send our sincerest congratulations to Doug White, Q.C. and celebrate his recognition as a leader in the legal profession.”
Annita McPhee, BCFNJC lead director on Child and Family Justice, and Health and Justice, adds “We’re so proud of him! This is exactly what we are striving for with our Indigenous strategy. More Indigenous legal professionals in distinguished senior positions.”
In addition to serving as the BCFNJC chair, White is also co-chair of BC’s Provincial Advisory Committee for Indigenous and Specialized Courts and Related Initiatives.
After completing his B.A. in First Nations Studies (with distinction) from Malaspina University-College (now Vancouver Island University), White graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2008.
Since then, he has been granted distinguished alumni awards from both Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria, and been a director of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada as well as an associate lawyer at Mandell Pinder.
White was also elected to lead the First Nations Summit as a member of the FNS Task Group. In that role, he was a member of the BC First Nations Leadership Council, working on common issues with BC First Nations where he advocated on their behalf with the governments of British Columbia, Canada and, internationally, at the United Nations.
White is the former director of the Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties and Reconciliation at Vancouver Island University and, today, along with his role as the BCFNJC chair, he also practices as a lawyer and negotiator across the country for First Nations governments.
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