Bob Black

Bob is a lawyer with 40 years’ experience and dedicated ally and advocate for First Nations, bringing decades of experience in litigation, development, and major project leadership to advance Indigenous rights, self-determination, and prosperity. His work is rooted in a deep respect for Nation leadership, knowledge systems, and the Treaty and inherent rights of First Nations Peoples.

Through his legal practice with First Nations Rights, Bob exclusively represents First Nations in advancing Treaty and inherent rights. His work spans land claims, wrongful surrenders, Treaty land entitlement, drinking water litigation, annuities claims, and cumulative impact litigation. His advocacy is grounded in the belief that the Crown has consistently acted dishonourably in its relationship with First Nations, and that redress must begin with the recognition of Treaty and inherent rights, not the assumptions of colonial law.

Bob does not accept that First Nations ever ceded their lands, resources, or self-governance rights through Treaty. He believes that building true Nation-to-Nation relationships requires creating new models that affirm First Nations’ rights to land, self-government, lawmaking, and co-regulation. He is committed to ensuring that major projects—whether on or off-reserve—deliver lasting benefit at the grassroots of community and paving the way to economic independence for First Nations. Historical systems have failed to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples. Rights-based, innovative approaches are not optional—they are essential to achieving real change. 

At Sage, Bob brings this rights-focused lens to his work, supporting First Nations in asserting jurisdiction, driving economic development on their terms, and building sustainable futures. His leadership is shaped by listening, learning, and standing in solidarity with Nations in their pursuit of justice, sovereignty and independence. 

Bob has led major developments and complex negotiations, including his decade-long tenure as Executive Vice President of the Katz Group and Chief Project Officer for the Oilers Entertainment Corporation where he played an executive leadership role in the delivery Edmonton’s ICE District and oversaw all aspects of the design and construction of Rogers Place arena, including the negotiation of all major contracts, oversight of the project team and managing resolution of all issues arising during construction. 

Bob served as Interim CEO of the Treaty 8 Economic Development Corporation, working directly with leadership to support self-determination and Nation-led economic development. He convenes interdisciplinary teams and negotiates industry partnerships that place equity and control in the hands of First Nations. These initiatives have led to the creation of majority-owned Indigenous entities and investments in renewable energy, mining, tourism, ecosystem management, and urban reserves.

Bob’s work also includes supporting grassroots priorities—entrepreneurship, skills training, housing development, and access to capital and funding—ensuring that impact reaches the community level.

Honoured with a Cree spirit name, Kahkoki Pihesew Napwe (“Diving Thunderbird Man”), Bob walks his path in service to First Nations. He is committed to reconciliation not as a buzzword, but as a daily practice—centering Indigenous laws, knowledge, and leadership in everything he does.