On Dismantling Setter Colonialism: An insider’s perspective on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

The 2026 Tom Courchene Distinguished Lecture with John Olthuis.

Lunch will be provided for all. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please email hub1@queensu.ca by Monday, September 21. We will do our best to accommodate.

Biography: John Olthuis is co-founder of Olthuis Kleer Townsend LLP, Canada’s largest law firm solely dedicated to representing and providing access to justice for Indigenous Peoples. In his Indigenous rights practice, John represents First Nations across Canada in litigation matters and in major negotiations. This includes negotiating for comprehensive and specific land rights, self-government, and impacts and benefits agreements with project proponents.

John was legal counsel to Chiefs of Ontario and table negotiator at the Aboriginal Government table for the Assembly of First Nations in the Charlottetown Accord Constitutional negotiations. He has also appeared as counsel in environment cases and before various federal boards, commissions and agencies across Canada, including the National Energy Board, the Berger Commission and federal and provincial environmental assessment panels.

Drawing on decades of legal advocacy, John has published a book entitled On Dismantling Settler Colonialism: an Insider’s Perspective on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. He explores what it means to go beyond symbolic gestures to actually dismantle settler-colonial systems and build more just relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. 

John Olthuis has received the Law Society Model and is a member in the Order of Canada in recognition of the importance of his work.

Directions: Enter the John Deutsch University Centre (99 University Ave.) from Union Street (southside entrance) and walk up the stairs to the main (2nd) floor. Turn left. Wallace Hall (room 230) is at the end of the hallway.