Sheriden Barnett, BA (Indig. Studies), LLM (ADR) is the Founder and Principal of The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution. Sheriden has been working with Indigenous peoples and Canadian governments for more than 20 years in order to advance issues that relate to indigenous rights, including: modern land claims, historic treaty disputes, the duty to consult, and resource development conflicts.
Sheriden earned a distinguished Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, in Alternative Dispute Resolution, focusing on the duty to consult and accommodate, and the meaningful resolution of Indigenous land and resource disputes recognizing the colonial framework that suppresses indigenous history, laws, languages, resulting in fundamental power imbalances in legal and negotiation processes.
In keeping with her own cultural background as a dual Irish and Canadian citizen, and her interest in deep-rooted cultural conflict and peacebuilding, Sheriden studied Management of Peacebuilding Processes at the internationally recognized INCORE, University of Ulster (http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/) in Northern Ireland. Sheriden is a also graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa, where she obtained a B.A. in Directed Interdisciplinary (Indigenous) Studies including graduate studies in Northern and Native Studies and Anthropology.
Sheriden has been awarded Certificates in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (Ottawa), and the University of Alberta Law School (Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society), which included Mediation, Principled Negotiation and Multi-Party Consensus Building. Sheriden is recognized by the Association for Conflict Resolution as an ADR practitioner, educator, and researcher., and is a current member of the ADR Institute of Canada. She was a mediator, coach and trainer with the Carleton University Mediation Centre from 1995-1996 and 2000-2002 and the sole Mediator to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal, since its inception in 2005-2019, co-developing a mediation process that reflects both traditional Inuit approaches to conflict resolution and Canadian Human Rights Law, as well as providing training, mentorship to Tribunal members.
Sheriden facilitated/mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishinawbe-Aski Nation, an organization representing 51 Anishinaabe and Cree First Nations. She has provided research analysis expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act based land claims cases, utilizing her ADR training to promote a joint problem-solving approach to facilitate agreement and resolution. She facilitated collaborative processes for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative, bringing together the province of Ontario, environmental NGO's, First Nations, and scientists to discuss forestry, the environment and economic opportunities, which involved deep dialogue and resolution based on mutual interests. Sheriden facilitated/mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishinawbe-Aski Nation, an organization representing 51 Anishinawbe and Cree First Nations. She has provided research analysis expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act based land claims cases, utilizing her ADR training to promote a joint problem-solving approach to facilitate agreement and resolution. She facilitated collaborative processes for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative, bringing together the province of Ontario, environmental NGO's, First Nations, and scientists to discuss forestry, the environment and economic opportunities, which involved deep dialogue and resolution based on mutual interests.
Sheriden has written academic publications, presented at conferences, and developed a model for the resolution of Indigenous land disputes in Canada based on deep-rooted and inter-cultural conflict (see Articles).
Sheriden earned a distinguished Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, in Alternative Dispute Resolution, focusing on the duty to consult and accommodate, and the meaningful resolution of Indigenous land and resource disputes recognizing the colonial framework that suppresses indigenous history, laws, languages, resulting in fundamental power imbalances in legal and negotiation processes.
In keeping with her own cultural background as a dual Irish and Canadian citizen, and her interest in deep-rooted cultural conflict and peacebuilding, Sheriden studied Management of Peacebuilding Processes at the internationally recognized INCORE, University of Ulster (http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/) in Northern Ireland. Sheriden is a also graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa, where she obtained a B.A. in Directed Interdisciplinary (Indigenous) Studies including graduate studies in Northern and Native Studies and Anthropology.
Sheriden has been awarded Certificates in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (Ottawa), and the University of Alberta Law School (Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society), which included Mediation, Principled Negotiation and Multi-Party Consensus Building. Sheriden is recognized by the Association for Conflict Resolution as an ADR practitioner, educator, and researcher., and is a current member of the ADR Institute of Canada. She was a mediator, coach and trainer with the Carleton University Mediation Centre from 1995-1996 and 2000-2002 and the sole Mediator to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal, since its inception in 2005-2019, co-developing a mediation process that reflects both traditional Inuit approaches to conflict resolution and Canadian Human Rights Law, as well as providing training, mentorship to Tribunal members.
Sheriden facilitated/mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishinawbe-Aski Nation, an organization representing 51 Anishinaabe and Cree First Nations. She has provided research analysis expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act based land claims cases, utilizing her ADR training to promote a joint problem-solving approach to facilitate agreement and resolution. She facilitated collaborative processes for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative, bringing together the province of Ontario, environmental NGO's, First Nations, and scientists to discuss forestry, the environment and economic opportunities, which involved deep dialogue and resolution based on mutual interests. Sheriden facilitated/mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishinawbe-Aski Nation, an organization representing 51 Anishinawbe and Cree First Nations. She has provided research analysis expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act based land claims cases, utilizing her ADR training to promote a joint problem-solving approach to facilitate agreement and resolution. She facilitated collaborative processes for the Whitefeather Forest Initiative, bringing together the province of Ontario, environmental NGO's, First Nations, and scientists to discuss forestry, the environment and economic opportunities, which involved deep dialogue and resolution based on mutual interests.
Sheriden has written academic publications, presented at conferences, and developed a model for the resolution of Indigenous land disputes in Canada based on deep-rooted and inter-cultural conflict (see Articles).
Client Testimony
Comments on ADR Services
"Sheriden made a significant contribution to the success of this project. She is skilled at working with a variety of individuals in group and individual settings. Her knowledge basis is considerable and she exhibits awareness of group dynamics and is sensitive to the particular challenges of working in a cross-cultural environment."
"Ms. Barnett facilitated treaty discussions between Canada and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political organization representing 49 Treaty 5 and 9 communities in northern Ontario. Sheriden was instrumental in the formation of a protocol agreement for the exploratory treaty discussion table. Her expertise in mediation, the ability to address process and data conflicts which arose in the preliminary discussions, and her critical analysis were invaluable in the discussions. Her recommendations eventually formed the body of the protocol which related to fairness, process and effective participation by all parties. Ms. Barnett prepared the agenda, facilitated and mediated the first formal meeting of the parties which was extremely sensitive in nature.... Ms. Barnett successfully brought the parties together to agree on specific undertakings critical to an inaugural meeting of the Treaty Discussion Forum. She kept an accurate record of minutes, followed-up with the parties on the undertakings, and provided a full report in a timely manner."
"Sheriden made a significant contribution to the success of this project. She is skilled at working with a variety of individuals in group and individual settings. Her knowledge basis is considerable and she exhibits awareness of group dynamics and is sensitive to the particular challenges of working in a cross-cultural environment."
"Ms. Barnett facilitated treaty discussions between Canada and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political organization representing 49 Treaty 5 and 9 communities in northern Ontario. Sheriden was instrumental in the formation of a protocol agreement for the exploratory treaty discussion table. Her expertise in mediation, the ability to address process and data conflicts which arose in the preliminary discussions, and her critical analysis were invaluable in the discussions. Her recommendations eventually formed the body of the protocol which related to fairness, process and effective participation by all parties. Ms. Barnett prepared the agenda, facilitated and mediated the first formal meeting of the parties which was extremely sensitive in nature.... Ms. Barnett successfully brought the parties together to agree on specific undertakings critical to an inaugural meeting of the Treaty Discussion Forum. She kept an accurate record of minutes, followed-up with the parties on the undertakings, and provided a full report in a timely manner."