In-House Legal Counsel ($95,000 - $105,000 / yr)

About the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN)

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada, which includes more than 900,000 people living in 634 First Nation communities and in cities and towns across the country. The BCAFN is one of ten regional organizations affiliated with the National Assembly of First Nations whose members include 634 First Nations across Canada.

The Regional Chief provides the political leadership and activities for the BCAFN, and is elected to this role by the BC First Nations Chiefs for a term of three years. BCAFN is further governed by a Board of five directors, elected to three-year staggered terms. Each board member is a Chief or designate for their First Nation community. BCAFN hosts a Special Chiefs Assembly and an Annual General Assembly every spring and fall which allow for BC First Nations leadership to engage in open socio-political discussions in order to provide community-driven directives to the Regional Chief through resolution.

The BCAFN Regional Chief sits on the AFN Executive Committee whereby his / her role is to ensure regional concerns of BCAFN members are included in National political discussions and decision-making processes. The Regional Chief also holds specific portfolios that deal with national policy issues and concerns.

The BCAFN Society is registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia. As an incorporated society, BCAFN operates with its own regionally specific mandates, and works towards creating new and better memories for First Nations that include meaningful participatory relationships with the provincial and federal governments as well as industry, and which aim to close the socio-economic gap between First Nations and non-First Nations people.

To learn more about us, please visit :   bcafn.ca

About the Opportunity

The British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) has an exciting opportunity for  a full-time In-House Legal Counsel  to join our team, based in  Vancouver  or  Prince George , with remote options available for candidates within BC.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Director, you will play a pivotal role in providing legal advice, research, and coordination across BCAFN’s policy priorities, while helping build internal capacity and reducing reliance on external legal counsel.

In this position, you will be primarily responsible for managing legal matters across BCAFN’s strategic files, reviewing legislative developments for alignment with the Declaration Act (DRIPA), and supporting both internal and external engagement from a legal perspective.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Providing legal advice, opinions, and research on portfolio areas including DRIPA, UNDA, environment, housing, justice, and policing
• Overseeing and managing external legal files and liaising with retained legal counsel
• Representing BCAFN in meetings with government, First Nations leadership, and partner organizations
• Reviewing and interpreting legislation for alignment with UNDRIP and First Nations' rights, title, and interests in BC
• Drafting legal documents including letters, contracts, memos, and briefing notes
• Coordinating legal deliverables with internal policy leads and external legal teams
• Supporting BCAFN leadership with high-level legal input for board presentations and negotiation sessions
• Contributing to legal strategy and capacity building across policy files and project work

More About You

To qualify, you will need to  hold a law degree  and be  called to the bar (or be eligible and willing to register shortly thereafter) , with  1–3+ years of experience in a legal or policy-focused role , ideally with exposure to First Nations governance, legal systems, or rights-based policy work.  A combination of legal and policy experience will be considered.

The following skills and experience will be crucial for this role :

• Understanding of BC First Nations governance structures and legal frameworks
• Familiarity with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), UNDA, and UNDRIP
• Experience supporting Indigenous-led policy or legal initiatives
• Knowledge of legislative review and alignment of laws processes
• Ability to provide legal analysis, draft legal documents, and coordinate external counsel
• Previous work with or for First Nations organizations or leadership
• Capacity to manage multiple policy files across justice, environment, housing, and more
• Proven knowledge of First Nations historical, political, and legal issues, with an understanding of colonial impacts on child and family well-being
• Excellent time and project management skills to manage multiple priorities and produce results within tight timelines
• Familiarity with the political landscape and government policies affecting child and family matters
• Willingness and ability to travel as required

As our ideal candidate, you will possess strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to take initiative while working collaboratively within a high-performing team. Your adaptability, accountability, and eagerness to build trust across diverse stakeholders will make you a perfect culture fit.

This is a unique opportunity for a lawyer with a passion for Indigenous rights and governance, ready to support BCAFN’s mission while shaping the future of in-house legal capacity across First Nations advocacy in British Columbia.

Note : Preference will be given to applicants who have First Nations ancestry.

About the Benefits

In exchange for your hard work and dedication, you will receive  a competitive annual salary of $95,000 - $105,000 , negotiable dependent on skills, experience and qualifications , along with a great host of benefits, including :

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• RRSP Matching of up to 6% of Your Salary
• 3 Weeks of Vacation to Start (Negotiable)
• Paid time off : Christmas Break, National Indigenous Peoples Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

If you are interested in progressing your career with a growing organization, apply today!