John Andrew Olthuis

John Olthuis is one of the founding partners at OKT. In his Aboriginal rights practice, John represents First Nations across Canada in litigation matters and in major negotiations. This includes negotiating for comprehensive and specific land rights, self-government, and impacts and benefits agreements with project proponents.

John was legal counsel to Chiefs of Ontario and table negotiator at the Aboriginal Government table for the Assembly of First Nations in the Charlottetown Accord Constitutional negotiations. He has also appeared as counsel in environment cases and before various federal boards, commissions and agencies across Canada, including the National Energy Board, the Berger Commission and federal and provincial environmental assessment panels.

Marking OKT’s 25th anniversary, this episode brings together reflections from founders Roger Townshend, Nancy Kleer, and John Olthuis with responses from partners Cathy Guirguis, Larry Innes,…

Is UNDRIP going to bring about transformational change to the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples? What about the federal government’s implementing legislation?

Archbishop Desmond Tutu makes a long journey this week, from his home in South Africa to northern Alberta. Why would this Nobel peace prizer winner -- whose moral authority and…