Ashley Stacey is a Partner at OKT, practicing in the firm’s corporate law group. She is a member of the Mohawk Nation in Kahnawà:ke, located in southern Québec.
Ashley’s legal practice is dedicated to advising First Nations and their organizations on a diverse range of economic development and regulatory matters across Canada, including transactions, corporate governance, gaming, taxation, and trusts.
Notably, Ashley’s work in trust law involves the development of legacy trusts for First Nations, ensuring effective administration of settlements and other revenues and providing tailored tax advice. Furthermore, her expertise in gaming law is focused on assisting First Nations clients in navigating the evolving and complex legal aspects of the gaming industry.
Through this work, Ashley has become a recognized expert in these areas and is frequently sought out for her insights into the legal, regulatory, and cultural considerations that shape First Nations governance and economic development. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by First Nation communities.
Ashley has been called to the Bar in Ontario and Manitoba. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, where she received several academic and leadership awards. Before joining OKT, she earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Montreal and worked for the Royal Bank of Canada. She was the past president of Native Earth Performing Arts. She resides in Montreal.
Ashley is listed as repeatedly recommended in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory on Indigenous Law.
Publications and Media
- Presenter, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Beyond the Indian Act: A Primer on Estates, Succession, Tax and Trusts for Indigenous Clients Webinar, "The settlement trust (with an emphasis on per capita distributions and individual interests, and impact of death)", January 21, 2026
- Expert Panelist, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) 27th National Conference, Estate and Capacity Considerations for Indigenous Clients, June 17, 2025, Toronto ON
- Expert Panelist, First Nation and Native American Gaming Opportunities in North America and Globally Panel, 2025 International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference, April 24, 2025, Vancouver BC
- Expert, Ratification of Trusts Success Stories, Webinar Hosted by Peace Hills Trust Company, February 17, 2022
- “What You Need to Know If You’re an Indigenous-Owned Business Impacted by COVID-19”, OKT Blog April 6, 2020
- Contributor, Workshop with TE Wealth on Trust Community Growth & Sustainability, AFOA Conference, October 4, 2018, Ottawa ON
- BILL C-45: Regulation of Cannabis in Indigenous Communities”, OKT Blog, July 13, 2018.
- Panelist on Economic Development Panel, Canadian Bar Association Aboriginal Law Conference, June 1, 2017, Winnipeg MB
- Workshop with Renee Pelletier on the Duty to Consult and Accommodate, The Canadian Institute’s Annual Indigenous Consultation Atlantic, November 8, 2016, Membertou NS
- "What First Nation-Owned Businesses Need to Know About Collecting GST/HST", OKT Blog, August 26, 2016
- "Yes or no is the way to go in Aboriginal resource development", OKT Blog, September 25, 2015
- "BC Case Sets Out Principles for Good First Nations’ Governance", OKT Blog, July 3, 2015
- Shin Imai and Ashley Stacey, “Municipalities and the Duty to Consult Aboriginal Peoples: A Case Comment on Neskonlith Indian Band v Salmon Arm (City)” (2014) 47 UBC L Rev 293.
- Jaimie Lickers and Ashley Stacey, “First Nation Trusts in Canada: Rethinking Self-Governance 138 Years Later” (presented at the World Indigenous Legal Conference, 2014, submitted for publication).
- Martin Lapner and Ashley Stacey, “Supreme Court of Canada Finds Alberta Privacy Legislation Unconstitutional” (2013-2014) 3 Electronic Healthcare Law Review.
- Nikki Petersen and Ashley Stacey, “Does the Crown Hold a Duty to Consult Aboriginal Peoples Prior to Introducing Legislation” (May 31, 2013) 16 Ontario Bar Association 2.
- Expert Panelist, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Estate Planning for Indigenous Clients Webinar, January 21, 2026
Recent Articles
What You Need to Know if You’re an Indigenous-owned Business Impacted by COVID-19
The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has severely disrupted Indigenous-owned businesses across the country. Businesses are being forced to scale back operations, lay off employees or shut down entirely, with Indigenous…
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BILL C-45: Regulation of Cannabis in Indigenous Communities
*This blog has been updated since it was posted on July 13, 2018 to include a discussion on the Quebec market
BACKGROUND
On June 21, 2018, the Cannabis Act…
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What First Nation-Owned Businesses Need to Know About Collecting GST/HST
When does Canadian law require First Nations-owned businesses on reserve to collect GST/HST?
When it comes to First Nation-owned businesses, what is involved and required in GST/HST registration and reporting…
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