<p>Melanie was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 1995 and devotes her practice entirely to advising First Nation governments and administrations, as well as First Nation-owned corporate entities.&nbsp; She advises her clients in the areas of Tribal governance, Aboriginal and Treaty rights and claims, consultation and accommodation, oil and gas, and general corporate governance and commercial law.&nbsp; Melanie also drafts legislation for First Nation governments which incorporates their specific customs and protocols.&nbsp; She has lectured and presented on a variety of legal issues affecting First Nations at various educational institutions and conferences.</p>

<p>Melanie is a proud member of the Blood Tribe/Kainai, which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy, and was raised on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta.&nbsp; She is the first Blood Tribe/Kainai woman to become a lawyer and is honoured to be able to assist and advocate for her own people.&nbsp; Melanie is also blessed to have one son, Robert, who continues her family&rsquo;s commitment to working to protect and further the interests of First Nations and their members.&nbsp;&nbsp; Melanie&rsquo;s background gives her firsthand insight into and an appreciation for the unique legal concerns and issues affecting First Nations.&nbsp; Among other things, she also enjoys travelling, engaging in personal development, creative writing, learning about other cultures and watching a variety of sports.</p>

<h2>Education and Professional Development</h2>

<p>Bachelor of Arts, University of Lethbridge<br />
Bachelor of Laws, University of Alberta</p>

<h2>Affiliations</h2>

<p>Law Society of Alberta<br />
Canadian Bar Association<br />
*Aboriginal Law Section</p>

<h2>Areas of practice</h2>

<p>Business &amp; Corporate Law<br />
First Nations Law</p>
