In this episode of The Indigenous Miner, host Janessa Kosar North sits down with Tamara Napoleon, Principal Lawyer and Co Lead of the Indigenous Law Group at Miller Titerle + Company* and a member of Saulteau First Nations in Treaty 8 territory.

Tamara shares how growing up in a politically active family, time spent on blockades as a child, and her background in gender studies led her to see law as a practical tool for Indigenous nations, even when law school and big firm life felt isolating and often hostile.

Together, Janessa and Tamara explore what it really means for nations to apply their own stewardship frameworks and legal orders to mines, pipelines, LNG projects and forestry proposals—from early project review and community consent processes, through to negotiating agreements and building the economic “vehicles” that can hold long term benefits. They discuss why moving beyond basic consultation toward consent-based decision making, governance reform, and shared accountability for social and cultural impacts (including the safety of Indigenous women and girls) is essential for any responsible resource project.