John Gailus is a Founder/Partner at Cascadia Legal LLP.
John graduated from the University of Alberta in 1993. He spent four and one-half years working at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (“DIAND”) as the Senior Land Management & Leasing Officer for the west coast of British Columbia. At DIAND he developed an expertise in economic development of reserve land.
John parlayed his DIAND experience into a varied law practice focused on consultation, Aboriginal and Treaty rights litigation, Indian Act issues and economic development.
John has appeared multiple times at the Supreme Court of Canada, British Columbia Court of Appeal and British Columbia Supreme Court, as well as the Federal Courts. He was also counsel for several First Nations during the Cohen Commission Salmon Inquiry, Site C Joint Review Panel and the National Energy Board Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion hearings.
John is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria where he teaches the Indigenous Lands, Rights and Governance course. He has appeared on multiple occasions before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs as an expert witness on proposed changes to the Indian Act and Aboriginal economic development. He is a regular speaker at conferences and continuing legal education events. John currently is the chair of the Indigenous Justice Advocacy Committee of the Canadian Bar Association as well as the Aboriginal Law representative on the Federal Courts Bench and Bar Liaison Committee. John has been repeatedly recognized by the Canadian Lexpert Directory as a Leading Practitioner in Aboriginal Law.
John is a proud member of the Cumshewa Clan of the Skidegate Band and member of the Haida Nation.
