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Darla Rettie

Darla Rettie

Partner

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.

Contact

[email protected] 204-956-3535

Mariam Ogunleye (Assistant)

[email protected] 204-956-0560 ext. 328

Darla Rettie is a trusted 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 Indigenous clients and their partners realize their goals, while navigating the complex web of laws that apply to First Nations and their businesses.

Darla works collaboratively to provide comprehensive and integrated advice to Indigenous governments and their corporate partners on: trusts, tax structuring, financing, joint ventures, limited partnerships, economic development projects (including gaming) and governance matters. Darla understands that Indigenous governments have their own laws, and Treaty and Aboriginal rights that must be respected and integrated into economic partnerships and governance structures. She assists Indigenous governments draft their own laws and taxing regimes.

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

Education

  • Admitted to the Manitoba Bar, 2003
  • LL. B., University of Manitoba, 2002
  • B.A., University of Manitoba, 1999

Practice Areas

Industries

  • Interview, “Saskatchewan and Manitoba Mining 2018”, Global Business Reports Industry Explorations, June 2018
  • Presenter, “Legal Developments in 2016/2017 Impacting Lending Industry”, CFS Aboriginal and North 60 Conference, RBC, Winnipeg (Inn at the Forks), September 21, 2016
  • Presenter, “Challenges in Building Wealth for First Nations”, STEP, Winnipeg, March 15, 2016
  • Presenter, “Land Designations”; “First Nations Fiscal Management Act, Update on Legislative Changes that Impact Risk Assessment”, RBC Aboriginal Team Conference, Winnipeg (Inn at the Forks), August 19, 2015
  • Presenter, “Structuring First Nation Owned Businesses: On and Off Reserve”, Winnipeg, October 17, 2014
  • Presenter, “Trust Settlement Agreements”, MSNWO Aboriginal Banking Conference, Winnipeg, July 16. 2013
  • Presenter, “Aboriginal Law: Primer for Corporate Commercial Lawyers”, Pitblado Law, June 17, 2013
  • Presenter, “Non-Traditional Secondary Sources: Electronic Research”, Law Society of Manitoba, November 14, 2012
  • Co-Presenter (with Bryan Schwartz), “Natural Resources Transfer Agreements: Reclaiming Rights “Extinguished” by the Supreme Court of Canada”, Prince Albert Grand Council NRTA Summit, August 6 – 9, 2012
  • Presenter, “Lending to First Nation Trusts”, RBC Aboriginal Banking Conference, South Beach Casino, May 29-31, 2012
  • Paper Contributor, “The Taxation of First Nations and Their Members – The Changing Landscape”, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2011 Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, Edmonton, AB, May 23– 24, 2011
  • Presenter, “Jurisdiction over Lands, Water and Natural Resources”, Norway House First Nation Special Panel on Mining and Rights, June 23, 2009
  • Presenter and Paper Author, “First Nation Consultation: Justification and Accommodation”, First Nation Forum on First Nation-Crown Consultations, Winnipeg MB, February 11 – 12, 2009
  • Presenter, Case Law Update, Major Business Agreement Conference, Insight, Winnipeg, MB, June 3 – 4, 2008
  • Co-Author, “The Long and Winding Road: Case Comment on Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (Minister of Canadian Heritage)”, 34 S.C.L.R. (2d) 465, 2006
  • Co-Author, Valuing Canadians: Options for Voting System Reform in Canada. Ottawa: Law Commission of Canada, 2003

 

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce
  • Instructor of Advanced Legal Research and Legal Methods courses at Robson Hall Faculty of Law
  • Co-Chair, Legal Research Section, Manitoba Bar Association, 2009 – Present
  • Business Administration Advanced Program, Capilano College, North Vancouver, 1998

 

 

  • Manitoba Bar Association, 2009/2010 Section Award, Legal Research Section (Co-Chair)
  • Thompson, Q.C. Award, for Legislative Process, 2001
  • University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law Scholarship, 1999

 

  • Director, Camerata Nova, 2021