ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Sheriden Barnett, BA (Indigenous Studies), LLM (ADR)
Founder & Principal, The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution
Sheriden Barnett is the Founder and Principal of The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution. For more than 20 years, she has worked alongside Indigenous peoples and Canadian governments to advance issues related to Indigenous rights — including modern land claims, historic treaty disputes, the duty to consult, and resource development conflicts. Her work is grounded in respect, cultural understanding, and a commitment to meaningful, lasting resolution.
Education & Specialization
Sheriden holds a distinguished Master of Laws (LLM) in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School. Her research focused on the duty to consult and accommodate, and on resolving Indigenous land and resource disputes within a colonial legal framework that suppresses Indigenous histories, laws, and languages. Her work highlights the deep power imbalances embedded in legal and negotiation processes and the need for culturally grounded approaches to resolution.
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Directed Interdisciplinary (Indigenous) Studies from Carleton University, with graduate-level studies in Northern and Native Studies and Anthropology.
Drawing on her dual Irish and Canadian heritage and her interest in deep‑rooted cultural conflict and peacebuilding, Sheriden studied Management of Peacebuilding Processes at INCORE, University of Ulster in Northern Ireland — an internationally recognized centre for conflict research and practice
Professional Training & Recognition
Sheriden has earned Certificates in Alternative Dispute Resolution from:
• The Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (Ottawa)
• The University of Alberta Law School / Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society
Her training includes mediation, principled negotiation, and multi‑party consensus building.
She 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.
Sheriden has served as:
• A mediator, coach, and trainer with the Carleton University Mediation Centre (1995–1996, 2000–2002)
• The sole Mediator to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (2005–2019), where she co‑developed a mediation process reflecting both traditional Inuit approaches to conflict resolution and Canadian human rights law, and provided training and mentorship to Tribunal members
Experience in Indigenous Rights & Treaty Processes
Sheriden has facilitated and mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishnawbe‑Aski Nation, representing 51 Anishinaabe and Cree First Nations.
She has provided research and analytical expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act–based land claims, applying her ADR training to promote joint problem‑solving and collaborative resolution.
Her work with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative brought together the Province of Ontario, environmental NGOs, First Nations, and scientists to engage in deep dialogue about forestry, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunities — a process grounded in mutual interests and shared responsibility.
Publications & Thought Leadership
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. Her work continues to influence practitioners, scholars, and communities seeking more equitable and culturally grounded approaches to dispute resolution.
Founder & Principal, The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution
Sheriden Barnett is the Founder and Principal of The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution. For more than 20 years, she has worked alongside Indigenous peoples and Canadian governments to advance issues related to Indigenous rights — including modern land claims, historic treaty disputes, the duty to consult, and resource development conflicts. Her work is grounded in respect, cultural understanding, and a commitment to meaningful, lasting resolution.
Education & Specialization
Sheriden holds a distinguished Master of Laws (LLM) in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School. Her research focused on the duty to consult and accommodate, and on resolving Indigenous land and resource disputes within a colonial legal framework that suppresses Indigenous histories, laws, and languages. Her work highlights the deep power imbalances embedded in legal and negotiation processes and the need for culturally grounded approaches to resolution.
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Directed Interdisciplinary (Indigenous) Studies from Carleton University, with graduate-level studies in Northern and Native Studies and Anthropology.
Drawing on her dual Irish and Canadian heritage and her interest in deep‑rooted cultural conflict and peacebuilding, Sheriden studied Management of Peacebuilding Processes at INCORE, University of Ulster in Northern Ireland — an internationally recognized centre for conflict research and practice
Professional Training & Recognition
Sheriden has earned Certificates in Alternative Dispute Resolution from:
• The Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (Ottawa)
• The University of Alberta Law School / Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society
Her training includes mediation, principled negotiation, and multi‑party consensus building.
She 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.
Sheriden has served as:
• A mediator, coach, and trainer with the Carleton University Mediation Centre (1995–1996, 2000–2002)
• The sole Mediator to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (2005–2019), where she co‑developed a mediation process reflecting both traditional Inuit approaches to conflict resolution and Canadian human rights law, and provided training and mentorship to Tribunal members
Experience in Indigenous Rights & Treaty Processes
Sheriden has facilitated and mediated complex Treaty discussions between Canada and Nishnawbe‑Aski Nation, representing 51 Anishinaabe and Cree First Nations.
She has provided research and analytical expertise on more than 35 Treaty and Indian Act–based land claims, applying her ADR training to promote joint problem‑solving and collaborative resolution.
Her work with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative brought together the Province of Ontario, environmental NGOs, First Nations, and scientists to engage in deep dialogue about forestry, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunities — a process grounded in mutual interests and shared responsibility.
Publications & Thought Leadership
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. Her work continues to influence practitioners, scholars, and communities seeking more equitable and culturally grounded approaches to dispute resolution.
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."