John P. Brown is Legal and Strategic Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives. In his role as Legal and Strategic Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives, John was a senior member of the legal team at McCarthy Tétrault representing First Nations people across the country in two class action lawsuits against Canada that were brought to compel Canada to provide safe, clean drinking water to all First Nations. In December 2021 the courts approved one of the largest settlements in Canadian history in these class actions in which Canada has agreed to spend $8 billion to address these water issues. This monumental agreement includes commitments to hundreds of First Nations to construct the critical water infrastructure they need and provides compensation and other benefits to these First Nations and their members.John is the chair of the McCarthy Tétrault Reconciliation Committee.He is a mentor in the McCarthy Tétrault Mentorship Program for Indigenous Students which is committed to improving education and outcomes for Indigenous youth by linking the firm’s lawyers as mentors with Indigenous students in Grades 8 through 12.In partnership with Pro Bono Students Canada and other groups, McCarthy Tétrault helped in the development of a new Indigenous Human Rights Program. John is a member of the Advisory Council for this Program. He will also be assisting and mentoring the firm’s lawyers who will be providing culturally sensitive legal services to Indigenous clients, and representing them at mediations and before tribunals.John is a member of the Giiwedin Anang Council of Aboriginal Legal Services. The Council is comprised of Indigenous community members and provides an Alternative Dispute Resolution program for mediating child welfare, custody and access disputes involving Indigenous families using traditional methods. A key objective of the Council is to ensure that the children’s relationships with their Indigenous culture, traditions and spirituality are respected, protected and maintained.John is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Indigenous Advisory Group and the Indigenous Bar Association. John’s family on his father’s side is Sto:lo whose traditional territory is the Fraser River Valley in British Columbia.Prior to his current role as Legal and Strategic Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives, John P. Brown was a senior litigation partner in Toronto. He has extensive experience representing major corporations and institutions, both international and domestic, in multi-jurisdictional class actions.