Leah George-Wilson is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (“TWN”) located in North Vancouver. She was the first woman to hold the office of Elected Chief for the TWN, a position she held from 2001-2003 and 2005–2009, and has been involved in the TWN for many years in various capacities. For instance, Ms. George-Wilson was a member of the TWN’s negotiating team in the British Columbia Treaty Process, TWN Self-Government Coordinator, and Director of the TWN Treaty, Land and Resources Department.
Ms. George-Wilson sits on the boards of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board and BC First Nations Health Council. She also holds the position of co-chair of the First Nations Summit (“FNS”). As co-chair, she deals with the administrative issues of the FNS and works with the First Nations Summit Task Group who are authorized by the FNS to carry out specifically mandated tasks on issues related to treaty negotiations in BC. The FNS represents the majority of First Nations in BC on treaty related issues and other issues of common concern to First Nations.
Ms. George-Wilson completed her law degree part-time so as to remain involved in a number of extracurricular commitments to her community. Upon graduation in 2013, she articled with a small firm located in West Vancouver, and credits her legal education for providing her with the tools needed to support the TWN. She currently practices in the Indigenous Law Group at Miller Titerle + Company.
For more, listen to the Allard Law History Project interview with Leah George-Wilson.