Legal Experts Defending Nature and Indigenous Rights
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence (LAND) is an environmental law non-profit dedicated to protecting nature and upholding Treaty rights through legal advocacy and support.
We are the only Civil Society Organization (CSO) based in Northern Ontario that is recognized by the Law Society of Ontario to provide free environmental law legal services. Our services include the provision of summary advice and legal representation to those at the forefront of climate and environmental injustices as well as law reform advocacy and public legal education throughout Northern Ontario.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance Indigenous-led conservation efforts, protect endangered ecosystems, and ensure Canada meets its international commitments to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.
We prioritize providing legal services and support for initiatives that help advance the two most critical targets of our planet:
- Climate
Cutting climate damaging emissions by 50% by 2030 to combat climate change.
- Biodiversity
Protecting 30% of lands and waters, including reducing toxics in the environment, by 2030.
These targets as recognized by the United Nations and signed on to by Canada, are critical if we are to halt the twin crises of nature and biodiversity loss.
Through advocacy, law reform, and legal representation, our work:
Champions the introduction of first-of-its-kind legislation aimed at protecting endangered ecosystems and embedding Canada’s international biodiversity targets into law.
Pushes for ambitious climate action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, transitions communities to renewable energy sources, and promotes climate resilience across Northern Ontario
Responds to critical access to justice needs by providing legal services to communities and individuals who are most impacted by climate and environmental injustices
Our Legal Team
Kerrie Blaise is the founder of LAND and an accomplished environmental and Indigenous rights lawyer. Today, she is one of only a handful of public-interest environmental lawyers who serve Indigenous communities, non-profits, and community leaders, pushing for the protection of Indigenous and environment rights in response to urgent threats to lands and waters. Kerrie is a driven advocate, representing those who have been most affected by development, environmental hazards, and systemic racism, and she works to amplify their voices – whether in the courts, before lawmakers, or within their communities – to precipitate change.
Kerrie is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (2015) and was a visiting student at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. With a Master of Science from the University of Edinburgh and Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University, Kerrie’s background in ecological science informs her approach in creating solutions in law that safeguard the health of communities, species, and their habitats.
Kerrie was previously a staff lawyer at the Canadian Environmental Law Association and maintains many notable advisory positions, including as co-chair of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus, Réseau-Canadian Environmental Network, and as a member of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Domestic Law and Policy Stream.
Randy Restoule has been the Consultation Coordinator at Dokis First Nation for 4 years. Previously, he worked at Dokis in the position of Economic Development Officer for 6 years. Randy brings extensive experience and knowledge in policy development, GIS systems, environmental assessments, forest management, fisheries surveying and most recently, archeological investigations and the repatriation of ancestors.
Randy has conducted much research into the history of Dokis and its people, which will be used in part to support several specific land claims against the Government of Canada.
Neesha Fernandes is a social worker whose work has focused on young people and their families in shelter, court, and school settings. Neesha recognizes the power of relationships in social systems, and our responsibility to support future generations. This informs her practice in Toronto and the surrounding area, where she was born and raised.
Neesha has a Master of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University (previously Ryerson University), and is a registered social worker in Ontario. Neesha has been practicing social work for 13 years, where she continuously builds upon her educational foundation of anti-oppressive, critical social work, to support clients in their personal relationships and navigation of larger systems.
When Neesha takes off her social work hat, she almost always finds herself outside and often cycling or paddling. Most recently, Neesha is a proud participant of the annual Two Row On The Grand paddle, which is a symbolic renewal of the Two Row Wampum. Neesha believes that an increased connection to nature has the potential to shift how we heal, relate to each other, and protect ecosystems.
Julia Hambleton is LAND’s Operations and Outreach Director. She has supported and worked with non-profits in the environmental movement and the arts for over twenty-five years. She is driven to support those with a vision to preserve nature, build healthy communities and realize human potential. Her interest in environmental law and social justice began as an Office Manager at Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and was further inspired by her time as a Legal Assistant at Canadian Environmental Law Association.
With degrees in both music and education she has performed clarinet across Canada and taught music to underserved communities in Toronto. She is excited to bring all her skills, values and experience towards LAND full-time.
Kanisha Acharya-Patel (she/her) is a staff lawyer at LAND and a passionate advocate for intersectional environmental justice. Through her academic and professional experiences, Kanisha has developed a strong understanding of the social, political and legal aspects underpinning Canada’s approach to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and Indigenous rights.
Kanisha is eager to build her career in public interest environmental law and shares LAND’s commitment to advancing environmental and Indigenous rights through law reform, legal representation and public legal education. Having done extensive research on the importance of intersectionality in environmental advocacy, Kanisha is mindful in ensuring that her advocacy is inclusive and amplifies the interests of those disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation.
Kanisha has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of British Columbia, and a law degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, where she was awarded the Elizabeth May Prize for Environmental Service and graduated with specialized certificates in environmental law and Aboriginal and Indigenous law. Kanisha’s background in science and law allows her to analyze complex socio-environmental issues in a holistic manner. In studying the history of the Crown-Indigenous relationship at length during law school, Kanisha developed a strong understanding of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, the ongoing impacts of colonization and the importance of Indigenous-led conservation. Kanisha is eager to use her legal training to advocate for Indigenous self-determination in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Kanisha completed her summer law student placements with East Coast Environmental Law and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, and articled with Ecojustice before being called to the Ontario Bar in June 2023. Since then, Kanisha has worked as a Law Reform Specialist with the Women’s Healthy Environments Network (WHEN), where she advocated for stronger laws and policies that better protect women, BIPOC communities and other marginalized populations from environmental health harms. In her spare time, Kanisha sits on the Board of Directors at WHEN, volunteers with Toronto Cat Rescue and enjoys pottery, baking and watching documentaries.
