Keenan is a member of West Moberly First Nations, a signatory to Treaty No. 8 (circa, 1899) whose territory is in northeast British Columbia.

Q. You articled at the Attorney General of British Columbia (“AGBC”). Why did you want to work for the AGBC? What was your experience articling there as an Indigenous person?

I initially applied for articles at the AGBC simply because I needed a job and an articling position. It wasn’t until after I began preparing for the AGBC articling recruitment process that I became more informed about what work the AGBC does, and I became much more interested in working for the AGBC because of the range of work that the AGBC does within its various groups within the branch. The prospect of being an Indigenous person working for the AGBC could be an exciting opportunity. Looking back on the articling year, it was a great experience in terms of learning and forming friendships and relationships.

There was also an unfortunate element. My articles took place (mostly) remotely as I started during the beginning of the pandemic in the summer of 2020. I suspect that I did not quite get the typical articling experience due to the pandemic.

As a member of the West Moberly First Nation, I had to do my best to avoid any updates or news from the AGBC about developments involving my community (my Nation was challenging the Site C Dam). Anything from muting myself in meetings, not attending meetings, and restricting the office space I could use when I was working at the office. I had to be more “self-aware” than the average articling student.

Q. You now work in Aboriginal law on behalf of the Province of British Columbia. Please describe why you chose that specialized practice area, and your experience since you joined the profession as a lawyer.

This position allows me a unique opportunity to provide advice and help meet the provincial government’s commitments toward reconciliation. Through this position, I have the unique experience of advising ministry clients on issues that affect Indigenous peoples throughout the province. I enjoy being at the forefront of reconciliation by assisting in implementing the recent significant steps toward reconciliation from the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. I actively engage with furthering reconciliation within the province, and that work component is gratifying.

Since I started with this group in February 2022, I have been fortunate to work in a dynamic area of law with colleagues who have taken a personal interest in providing mentorship to assist my development. This group’s collegial environment is ideal as it frequently involves navigating complex issues with Indigenous legal matters. A large part of my practice is advising various ministries on consultation and accommodation as well as the provincial commitments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act for proposed legislation.

Q. Tell us about a day in your life as a solicitor practising Aboriginal law with the Attorney General of British Columbia.

Every day is different as there is a wide range of issues or work that my group has to address. On the one hand, it is nice to know that I won’t be doing the same thing each day as part of this job, and I will get to experience and be part of exciting things with the province. On the other hand, there can be matters that come up spontaneously that my group has to address.

To provide some context, in British Columbia, there are 203 First Nations, and any number of them could raise an issue with ministries that my group would then have to provide advice on. The daily unknown aspect of this job is what makes this role so unique.