Ms. Merrell-Ann Phare

Merrell-Ann Phare brings to the Advisory Board her extensive expertise in environmental law and the negotiation of transboundary water agreements. She has served as the founding Executive Director of the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), an esteemed Canadian charitable environmental organization established alongside ten First Nation Chiefs.

In her role as Chief Negotiator for the Government of the Northwest Territories, Merrell-Ann led negotiations regarding transboundary water agreements within the Mackenzie River Basin. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in the establishment of Thaidene Nene, a national and territorial park situated in the east arm of Great Slave Lake. Merrell-Ann’s commitment to serving First Nation and Metis governments and organizations as legal counsel and advisor is evident. She is also an accomplished author, having penned the book Denying the Source: the Crisis of First Nations Water Rights and co-authored the book Ethical Water. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the International Joint Commission (IJC).