Billie Fortier

Billie represents Indigenous communities and businesses in negotiations with resource companies to establish joint ventures and other business relationships.

She advises the leadership of Indigenous communities on a variety of matters, including corporate structuring of Indigenous-owned businesses, financial administration and governance, including drafting laws and bylaws. She also advises clients across a number of industries on general commercial matters and in connection with mergers and acquisitions and corporate reorganizations.

Billie has appeared before the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and the Provincial Court of Alberta, and has experience with regulatory proceedings before the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. She is a member of the Fort McKay First Nation.

• Counsel to 12 Metis Settlements and First Nations on the acquisition of an 85% non-operated working interest in Clearwater Infrastructure Limited Partnership for a purchase price of $146.2 million
• Counsel to McKay Métis Contracting Limited Partnership on its acquisition of the assets of Athabaska Corp. and its subsidiaries for $21 million
• Counsel to various Alberta First Nations and Métis Settlements in connection with consultation on transmission line, coal mine and SAGD projects

• Executive Fellow, School of Public Policy (Calgary, 2023-present)
• Mentor, Influence Mentoring Society (2023-present)
• Executive Member, Aboriginal Law Subsection, Canadian Bar Association (2020-2023)
• Board Member, Impact Society (2020-2021)
• Member, Indigenous Bar Association (2017-present)
• Leadership Council, Forward Summit (2022-2024)
• Mentor, Indigenous Mentorship Program, Law Society of Alberta (2020-2022)
• Volunteer, Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (2015- 2019)
• Project Lead, Aboriginal Education, ProBono Law (Alberta, 2010-2013)
• Board Director, United Nations Association in Canada (2010)
• Volunteer, Samaritan’s Purse (2009-2011)
• Special Events Volunteer, World Vision Canada (2008-2010)
• Member, Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (1997-present)

• Moderator, “Expanding benefits of Indigenous partnerships beyond energy and natural resources,” Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Calgary (November 2024)
• Presenter, “Legal Ethics and Professionalism,” Indigenous Bar Association (October 2024)
• Presenter, “Indigenous Equity in Renewable Energy Projects: Financial Options, Legal Structures and Partnership Opportunities,” Electricity Transformation Canada (October 2024)
• Presenter, “Fostering Indigenous Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Business Community,” Calgary Chamber of Commerce (June 2023)
• Moderator, “First Nations Ownership of Energy Projects,” Calgary Energy Roundtable (May 2024)
• Moderator, “Bridging the Equity Gap: How to Structure Joint Ventures & Major Projects,” Forward Summit (May 2024)
• Co-speaker, “Ethics of Indigenous Engagement,” Forward Summit (May 2023)
• Presenter, “Indigenous Epistemologies in Business Law,” Canadian Academy of Legal Studies in Business (April 2023)
• Presenter, “Tips on Incorporating Your Business,” The Finance Cafe podcast (October 2023)
• Presenter, “Allyship Series,” Association of Women Lawyers (June 2022)
• Presenter, “Professional Mentorship Series,” Alberta Centre for Global Cooperation (June 2022)
• Distinguished Graduate Speaker, University of Calgary Faculty of Law (May 2022)
• Co-speaker, “Ethics of Indigenous Engagement,” Forward Summit (May 2022)
• Presenter, “Fireside Chat Series,” Taking It Global (January 2022)
• Presenter, “Fostering Win Wins With Indigenous Communities,” Matrix Labour Leasing (May 2021)
• Presenter, “Aboriginal Peoples, Industry and the Environment: The Alignment of Environmental Interests,” CAELS Conference (March 2016)
• Contributor, “Energy Superpower in Waiting: New Pipeline Development in Canada, Social Licence and Recent Federal Energy Reforms,” Alberta Law Review, Energy Law Edition, Vol. 53, No. 2 (December 2015)
• Guest Lecturer, University of Calgary Faculty of Law
• Guest Lecturer, University of Alberta Faculty of Law

• Recognized in the 2025 edition of the Best Lawyers in Canada (Ones to Watch – Corporate Law)
• Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2022) of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Aboriginal Law)
• Recognized in the 2021 edition of Lexpert Rising Stars
• ConocoPhillips Aboriginal Award
• Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY) Scholarship
• Indspire Post-Secondary Education Scholarship