Iain Thomas

Iain is an Indigenous lawyer in our Indigenous Law Group. After completing his summer and articling terms with the firm, he joined our team as a lawyer in 2023. Iain primarily works with Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-owned not-for-profits, with a keen interest in supporting Indigenous Nations in asserting their inherent right to care for their children and families in a way that reflects their identity and values.

Iain is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation located in present-day Nanaimo. He believes that Indigenous Nations know what is best for their communities and people, and he works tirelessly to help Nations achieve self-determination. Iain enjoys solving complex problems and is passionate about empowering Indigenous communities and ensuring their rights and laws are respected and upheld.

EXPERTISE

Iain advises Indigenous communities on a wide range of topics, including the implementation of UNDRIP, governance, industry engagement, membership, and Aboriginal Title and Rights. In addition, Iain has experience with the alignment of laws process under DRIPA.

His expertise extends to supporting clients through the Coordination Agreement negotiation process under Bill C-92: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, including the development and implementation of Indigenous child and family services laws passed thereunder.

WORTH NOTING

Iain serves as both a director and an Indigenous Leadership Group member for Health Justice, a BC-based not-for-profit that works to transform the BC Mental Health Act into a law that promotes human rights principles and evidence-based practices.

With two older brothers, Iain is fiercely competitive and is a dedicated long-distance runner, having completed multiple marathons and ultra-marathons.