Judith Sayers

Kekinusuqs, Dr. Judith Sayers is a Strategic Advisor to First Nations and corporations on First Nations issues. She an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law and Business as well as Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Victoria.

Judith is the past Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation, located in Port Alberni, BC. She served as an elected chief in her community for 14 years during which she focused on capacity building, sustainable development and restoring and rehabilitating Hupacasath territory. As the Chief Negotiator for Hupacasath for 16 years, Judith pursued a just settlement of the rights and title of the Hupacasath within their territory.

Judith served on the Task Group of the First Nations Summit for a two year term. The First Nations Summit represents the interests of First Nations working to negotiate treaties throughout the province of British Columbia.

Judith’s educational background includes a business and law degree and a honourary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has practiced law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, worked on international forums, lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title.

Judith serves as Co-Chair on the Island Corridor Foundation a joint venture between Regional Districts and First Nations that own the Rail line on Vancouver Island. She also serves on the Public Advisory Panel of the Canadian Electricity Association Judith is on the Boards of the New Relationship, Clean Energy BC, the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business and Co-Chair of the Joint Working Group on First Nations Heritage Conservation.