Overview

### Bio
Kennedy A. Bear Robe is a partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary and Toronto offices.
Kennedy's accomplishments have been recognized in the 2022 and 2023 editions of *Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada™* (Indigenous Law). His current practice focuses on major energy and natural resource projects, and strategies to exercise Indigenous jurisdictions and authorities relating to environmental assessment, approvals and operations & maintenance.
Kennedy has a strong track record of successfully advising clients in federal and provincial regulatory hearings, and related litigation. Kennedy has appeared as counsel before the Federal Court of Appeal, and the British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario provincial courts.
During the Resource Revenue Sharing negotiations in Ontario, Kennedy acted for the Government of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 as its lead counsel and negotiator. Kennedy also advised the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 on its Relationship Agreement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
Kennedy's negotiation skills relating to Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights is widely acknowledged. He has negotiated precedent-setting agreements between Indigenous governments, federal government/regulators, provincial and territorial governments/regulators, and private companies. As negotiation counsel, Kennedy is also involved in the legal aspects of successfully implementing those agreements.
Kennedy is currently lead counsel to Indigenous Nations negotiating self-government agreements, regulatory cooperation and coordination agreements, resource revenue sharing agreements, and leading IBAs with private companies. Additional ongoing client work has Kennedy leading legal teams for several major environmental assessments and permitting, and as litigation counsel relating to environmental and Indigenous law matters.
Kennedy serves on the Board of Directors for the Siksika Group of Companies.
Kennedy is Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot), a member of the Siksika Nation, a proud dad, and loves hunting, reading and art. He is also the Commissioner of Gowling WLG’s (Vancouver) Office Fantasy Football League.
### Experience
##### Representative Work
- [Gowling WLG advises on landmark Resource Revenue Sharing agreement between Province of Ontario, Treaty #3 First Nations and the Government of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3](/news/firm-news/2018/gowling-wlg-advises-on-landmark-resource-revenue-s "")
- [Counsel, Bigstone Cree Nation, in the Federal Court of Appeal, *Bigstone Cree Nation v. Nova Gas Transmission Ltd.*, 2018 FCA 89](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fca/doc/2018/2018fca89/2018fca89.html?autocompleteStr=BigstoneCreeNationv.NovaGasTransmissionLtd.&autocompletePos=1&resultId=7750eebb4d4048d388f95d2b6a9de031&searchId=2024-07-26T14:27:56:695/897c6967ef8e4ec2a6ef83b8808701ae "")
- [Nupqu Development Corporation and ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises acquire traffic control company](/insights-resources/client-work/2018/nupqu-and-ace-acquire-traffic-control-company "")
- [The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 and Nuclear Waste Management Organization renew relationship agreement](/insights-resources/client-work/2022/anishinaabe-nation-and-nwmo-renew-agreement "")
- [Samson Cree Nation and TC Energy enter into Relationship Agreement](/insights-resources/client-work/2022/samson-cree-and-tc-energy-enter-into-agreement "")
- [Gitxsan Simgigyat, Gitxsan Laxyip Management Office and Province of British Columbia enter into Gitxsan Watershed Strategic Engagement Agreement](/insights-resources/client-work/2023/gitxsan-watershed-strategic-engagement-agreement "")
- [Samson Cree Nation and Capital Power enter into participation and equity option agreement](/insights-resources/client-work/2024/samson-cree-nation-and-capital-power-enter-into-participation-and-equity-option-agreement "")
### Career & education
#### Career highlights
2023
Director, Siksika Nation Group of Companies
#### Education
2012
University of British Columbia, JD
#### Languages
English
##### Memberships
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association (B.C. Branch)
- Indigenous Bar Association
### Publications & speaking engagements
### 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.

Practice Areas

• Natural Resources & Energy

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2013 (BC); 2015 (AB)

Professional Details