Interview with Award of Justice Recipient David Nahwegahbow

Friends Who Argue

In this episode, Kathleen Lickers, IPC, LSM interviews David Nahwegahbow, IPC, LSM, the 2021 recipient of The Advocates' Society's Award of Justice. In their fascinating and highly informative conversation, Kathleen and David discuss litigating Aboriginal rights issues from the inception of the Charter up to recent and ongoing litigation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
David C. Nahwegahbow, IPC, LSM
David Nahwegahbow is the 2021 recipient of The Award of Justice, and a former director of The Advocates’ Society. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1982, he is the founding partner of Nahwegahbow, Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers & Solicitors. David is also a founding member and former President of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA); and in 2003, he received the "IPC" designation (Indigenous Peoples' Counsel) from the IBA in recognition for his advocacy work on behalf of Indigenous peoples. He received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Law and Justice in 2008. Shortly thereafter, he was presented with the Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award from the Union of Ontario Indians which recognizes the dedication of individuals who have devoted their lives to the service of their communities and the Anishinabek Nation. In 2010, Mr. Nahwegahbow was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, the Common Law Section's most prestigious Alumni distinction. In 2011, Mr. Nahwegahbow received the Law Society Medal, an award granted by the Law Society to selected lawyers who have made a significant contribution to the profession.
Kathleen Lickers, IPC, LSM
Recently awarded the Law Society Medal, Kathleen Lickers is a Seneca from Six Nations of the Grand River and sole practitioner, operating her own law practice at Six Nations. She is widely recognized for her work in Indigenous Affairs. She has served on the board of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada and has been described by other Indigenous leaders as a role model for Indigenous youth. Kathleen is renowned for her expert counsel and as an accomplished negotiator between Indigenous agencies, First Nation governments and federal and provincial ministries. Former co-chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group to the Law Society of Ontario, Kathleen currently serves on the Board of the Advocates Society and is frequently sought after for her skillful mediating in multi-party, multi-table complex negotiations.
Learning Resources from The Advocates' Society
Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples
Guide pour les avocats qui travaillent avec des parties autochtones

Land Acknowledgement
The Advocates’ Society acknowledges that our offices, located in Toronto, are on the customary and traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. We acknowledge current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit and honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this territory.
While The Advocates’ Society is based in Toronto, we are a national organization with Directors and members located across Canada in the treaty and traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples. We encourage our members to reflect upon their relationships with the Indigenous Peoples in these territories, and the history of the land on which they live and work.
We acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the history of residential schools, for many Indigenous peoples, families, and communities and commit to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in an informed legal profession in Canada and within The Advocates’ Society.