Overview

Darla works closely with her Indigenous clients and their partners to realize their goals, while navigating the complex web of laws that apply to First Nations and their businesses.

Darla Rettie is a trusted legal advisor offering practical and effective advice in the areas of commercial financing, business structuring, designing trusts and documenting First Nation laws. Her aim is to assist her clients and their partners realize their goals, while navigating the complex web of laws that apply to First Nations and their businesses. This includes the constitutionally protected right to be consulted, as part of the project development and implementation processes.

Darla brings an extensive business background to the delivery of legal services and is widely recognized as a teacher and speaker on commercial Aboriginal Law topics.

Wanipigow Sand Extraction Project. Darla represents Canadian Premium Sand Inc. Working collaboratively with all local First Nations and Metis Communities, we designed economic participation agreements that respect the local laws, constitutional rights, and taxation rights for those potentially impacted by this new $500 million resource development commercial project, to be built in Seymourville, Manitoba. This Project also involved guiding Indigenous and non-Indigenous parties through provincial, federal, and local community regulatory oversight processes including permitting, licensing and zoning, and planning compliance matters.

Building of Freedom Road (Manitoba-Ontario). Darla acts for Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation and its development corporation, Kekekoziibii Development Corporation. We advised on business structuring, taxation, and governance matters for the building of Freedom Road; and negotiated the funding agreements with Canada, Manitoba, and the City of Winnipeg, and joint venture agreements with non-Indigenous parties, related to this $40 million road and bridge construction project.

Practice Areas

• Aboriginal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law
• Workers' Compensation
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2003 (MB)