Merle
Alexander⁺

Merle is a member and hereditary chief of Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation on the mid-coast of British Columbia.  He is co-leader of our First Nation Economic Development group and practices Indigenous Resource Law empowering Nations through Title and Rights affirmation, sustainable economic development and environmental conservation.

“I’ve always respected MT+Co.’s visionary approach to Indigenous law as an experienced practitioner.  The lawyers here really “connect” to clients’ adapting needs and get that Indigenous Peoples are going through a remarkable time of empowerment.  MT+Co. gets where we are going.”

Merle is a “life of project” lawyer assisting with negotiations of all stages of impact benefit agreements, joint ventures, regulatory engagement, traditional knowledge collection and other corporate and tax related advice.  He is continuously engaged in Nation-building through emerging government to government negotiations in all resource areas including: mining, oil & gas, forestry, pipelines, run-of-river and hydro projects.  Merle adapts his solicitor experience and skill set to the infinitely emerging and developing needs of Indigenous clients.

• BA (Political Science) from University of Victoria
• LLB from University of Victoria, specializing in Indigenous economic rights
• Probono Indigenous negotiator/diplomat in two United Nations areas: Convention on Biological Diversity (environmental treaty) and World Intellectual Property Organization (protection of Indigenous knowledge and culture through IP law) for over a decade.
• Recognized as a leading practitioner in Aboriginal and mining law by Lexpert, Chambers Canada
• Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award of UVic for Law
• Director of University of Victoria Board of Governors and Vancouver Native Health Society Foundation
• Former Director of:
  • West Coast Environmental Law;
  • Coast Opportunity Fund;
  • Vancouver Native Housing Society;
  • Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society; and
  • various First Nations economic development corporations
• Official Pro Bono Provider, as approved by the Law Society of BC and the Access Pro Bono Society of BC

Merle’s current obsessions are raising his two sons, Eli and Liam; keeping his brilliant wife happy; and maintaining a healthy balance of hiking, chasing his sons and running on Victoria’s trails.

He also warns people from accepting his LinkedIn connection because he is rabid poster on topics of Indigenous resource and social issues.

⁺Merle C. Alexander Law Corporation