Benjamin Brookwell

Ben Brookwell is an associate at OKT. His practice focuses on the protection of Aboriginal rights, treaty rights, and title through litigation and negotiation. Ben also works with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to advance their rights to substantive equality and protection from discrimination in the provisions of services, such as healthcare.

Ben is passionate about addressing systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in the health care system and has written and spoken widely on the topic. He advises First Nations and First Nation organizations about developing internal capacity to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of their citizens.

Ben has represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Divisional Court, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Ben also has experience preparing claims for First Nations to go before the Specific Claims Commission.

Ben was co-counsel on Canada’s first trial on Aboriginal title to water. The trial included testimony from more than 50 witnesses and took two years to complete. Ben advanced arguments and led evidence on Indigenous practices, customs, traditions, and knowledge, as well as the history of US Treaties along the Great Lakes.

Ben is a member of the Ontario Bar.