Jeffrey Nicholls joins Royal Roads University Board of Governors

Jeff Nicholls, lawyer, advocate, bird enthusiast, and member of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation has been appointed to the Royal Roads Board of Governors.  

Nicholls graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Political Science and Indigenous Studies from the University of Victoria, where he also completed his Law degree. He is an associate at Ratcliff LLP, where he practices Indigenous Law focusing on litigation, negotiation and law & policy development.  

“I've always been… justice-oriented,” Nicholls says. “I think my parents would say that I had a very strong sense of right and wrong.” The combination of this, his interest in Indigenous governance, and his desire to be an advocate was a guiding pathway into his career in law.  

“As a lawyer, you're called upon to be an advocate. Advocating for First Nations governments, advocating for our responsibilities to the environment…those are things I really care about, and it blends really well into RAVEN Trust, because both of those things are at home at RAVEN.”  

Nicholls has volunteered for RAVEN Trust, a non-profit that raises legal defence funds for Indigenous Nations, for the past 8 years. He now serves as RAVEN’s President. Among RAVEN’s Board is one of Jeff’s connections to Royal Roads. Susan Gee, vice-president external relations at Royal Roads, is a RAVEN Trust Board Member.  

“The other connection I have with Royal Roads is [that] I'm a really avid bird-watcher," Nicholls adds. "I love chasing, well, any kind of birds – but, in particular, rare birds throughout British Columbia.”  

“Royal Roads is a fabulous place to birdwatch…before becoming a governor I was most familiar with the campus because I would go there all the time to birdwatch.” Killdeer is a bird Jeff notes seeing particularly often on the RRU campus.  

“I understand that Royal Roads is undertaking a number of important Indigenous-related initiatives…I’m excited to contribute to those and offer perspective and support and input where helpful.” Nicholls says he is also looking forward to supporting, celebrating and uplifting Indigenous students at Royal Roads. 

Nelson Chan, board chair and chancellor of Royal Roads University, says, “Jeffrey Nicholls is regarded as an expert in policy development, and his experience will be vital to our board’s focused work on advancing priorities identified in the strategic plan. Additionally, Jeffrey’s commitment to developing learning resources to help legal colleagues and others understand the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada is a skill set that is ideal for this board.  

“His lived experiences, professional expertise and knowledge, as well as his passion for environmental justice are essential additions to the Royal Roads Board of Governors.”