NationTalk: WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION – David C. Nahwegahbow has made history.

The 68-year-old, a member of Whitefish River First Nation on Manitoulin Island, is the first Indigenous person from Canada to be inducted as a Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers.

This association is one of the premier legal ones in North America. It first inducted Fellows in 1951 and currently has about 5,700 members from across Canada and the United States and the American territory of Puerto Rico.

Nahwegahbow and his law partner Dianne Corbiere head up the Nahwegahbow, Corbiere law firm, specializing in Aboriginal Law, with their head office in Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

Nahwegahbow was inducted as a Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers on Sept. 28 during a ceremony in Nashville.

“They informed me I had been nominated and asked if I would accept the nomination and I did,” he said. “It’s an interesting and definitely a prestigious legal organization. They do good work.”

Nahwegahbow said the association has various committees. Besides planning to attend the group’s annual general meetings in the future, Nahwegahbow said he’ll in all likelihood also do some committee work.

“They do have an interest in diversity,” he said. “I’m assuming they do have a diversity committee.”

The American College of Trial Lawyers also has an Ontario chapter.

“I’ll see what I can do at that level,” Nahwegahbow said.

Nahwegahbow was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1982. He’s had numerous highlights during his lengthy legal career.

For example, he was the lead counsel in the Restoule case, which resulted in the $10 billion settlement earlier this year by the federal and provincial governments. The settlement was for past compensation involving a claim of annuities under the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

Mike Restoule, the chair of the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund, was pleased to hear about Nahwegahbow’s latest induction.

“David’s induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers is not only a personal achievement, but a testament to the vital role First Nations legal professionals play in advancing justice for Indigenous peoples and in shaping the legal landscape of Canada,” he said. “We are incredibly proud of David and this well-deserved honour.”

Duke Peltier, a former chief of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and a spokesperson for the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund, also praised Nahwegahbow’s legal work.

“We have been privileged to experience firsthand David’s dedication and excellence,” Peltier said. “As a community, we know how vital strong legal representation is in ensuring that our voices are heard and our rights are protected. David’s induction is both a reflection of his personal integrity and skill and a symbol of the resilience and strength of our people.”

Nahwegahbow is a founding member and former president of the Indigenous Bar Association.

He had received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (the program is now called the Indspire Awards) for Law and Justice in 2008.

Shortly thereafter the Anishinabek Nation honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

During his carareer Nahwegahbow has also been involved with some child welfare litigation on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations.

“The area that interests me most is access to justice,” he added.

By Sam Laskaris