Larissa Burnouf

Larissa Burnouf is an Indigenous lawyer focused on supporting First Nations in advancing their economic development, governance capacity, and long-term self-determination. A member of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in Treaty 10 territory, Larissa combines lived experience with legal, governance, and business training to assist Indigenous governments and their entities in navigating complex commercial and regulatory environments.

Larissa has significant governance experience through her work with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), where she worked directly with leadership from the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. In this senior role, she supported strategic initiatives, intergovernmental engagement, and policy development, gaining practical insight into how Indigenous governments operate, make decisions, and pursue economic opportunities while balancing community priorities.

Larissa earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2021 and holds a Certificate in Indigenous Governance and Politics. She has complemented her legal training with advanced business and leadership education, including executive education at Harvard Business School and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, completed in 2025.

Her practice interests are centered on Indigenous economic development, including governance structures, commercial agreements, business partnerships, and resource-related transactions. Larissa approaches this work with a clear understanding that successful economic development must be grounded in strong governance, clear decision-making authority, and alignment with community values.

Larissa is known for her ability to work collaboratively with Chiefs, Councils, and economic development professionals. She provides practical, solutions-oriented legal advice that is accessible, strategic, and responsive to the realities facing Indigenous governments. She represents a new generation of Indigenous legal professionals committed to strengthening Indigenous institutions and supporting sustainable economic growth.