Alissa D. Saieva-Finnie

Alissa is a trusted advisor to Indigenous governments who practises exclusively in the area of Aboriginal law as a negotiator and litigator. With a particular emphasis on governance and the intersection of Aboriginal and environmental law, Alissa’s work includes assisting clients as they advance their jurisdiction and rights within their traditional territories, as well as negotiating innovative and constructive agreements to advance her clients’ aspirations within their territories. Alissa’s strength lies in her compassion and strong communication skills. Mindful of clients’ emotional considerations, she listens to their needs and delivers complex information in an accessible manner.

Alissa is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group. She is also a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Environmental Law Groups. Alissa’s work includes advising Indigenous communities and governments on Aboriginal and Treaty rights-related matters spanning from harvesting rights, the duty to consult and accommodate, resource benefit sharing arrangements, child and family services, citizenship issues, internal self-government capacity building, the negotiation and implementation of self-government agreements and modern day treaties, as well as the resolution of historical grievances. Alissa has a wealth of experience in supporting clients in managing complex processes to advance their rights and interests, including historical claims against the Crown, litigation and community engagement on challenging issues.

Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Alissa practised at a nationally recognized Aboriginal law boutique firm after summering and articling with a Toronto litigation firm specializing in Aboriginal law. Alissa interned, worked and mentored with several law firms in Toronto through the Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) Program, of which she is the first graduate to be licensed to practise law. During her studies, Alissa represented the University of Toronto as a Student Delegate at the COP21 international climate change negotiations in Paris, France and studied Anishinaabe law and legal traditions with leading Indigenous law scholars.