Administration

Review & Appeal Panel

The Tla’amin Review and Appeal Panel (RAP) is an independent body established under Tla’amin law to provide fair, impartial, and transparent review and appeal processes. The Panel plays an important role in ensuring accountability, procedural fairness, and trust in decision-making across Tla’amin governance.

The authority for the Review and Appeal Panel is set out in the Review and Appeal Law, as amended most recently in March 2025. The Law establishes the Panel, defines its powers, and sets out how reviews and appeals are conducted.

Purpose and Mandate

The Review and Appeal Panel exists to:

  • Hear reviews and appeals of certain decisions made under Tla’amin laws
  • Resolve specific disputes referred to it under Tla’amin legislation
  • Provide an independent forum that is separate from the original decision-maker
  • Ensure decisions are reviewed in a way that is fair, timely, and respectful of Tla’amin governance principles

The Panel does not reconsider every decision of government. Its jurisdiction is limited to matters specifically assigned to it under the Review and Appeal Law and other Tla’amin laws.

Independence and Transparency

The Review and Appeal Panel operates independently from Tla’amin administration, Executive Council, and decision-makers whose decisions may be under review. Panel members are appointed by the Legislative Assembly and are required to take an oath of office.

Hearings are generally open to the public unless the Panel determines that privacy, safety, or the public interest requires otherwise. Written decisions are issued with reasons and form part of the public record, subject to privacy protections.

Panel Members

The Review and Appeal Panel is composed of standing and alternate members, as set out in the Review and Appeal Law. One member must be legally trained, and at least one member must be a Tla’amin individual.

Current Panel Members

  • Chair: Peter Larlee
  • Standing Panel Member: Melanie Vivier
  • Standing Panel Member: Brook Browning
  • Alternate Panel Member: Joel Harry

What the Panel Can Review or Decide

The Review and Appeal Panel may hear matters including, but not limited to:

  • Appeals related to citizenship enrolment decisions
  • Election challenges under Tla’amin Election Law
  • Conflict of interest determinations involving elected officials or committee members
  • Complaints of wrongdoing against elected officials
  • Certain land, expropriation, and compensation matters
  • Disputes involving economic development governance bodies
  • Referrals from Executive Council or the Legislative Assembly on specific questions of fact or law

The Panel’s authority is defined in Part 4 of the Review and Appeal Law.

Rules of Procedure

All reviews and appeals before the Panel are governed by the Review and Appeal Panel Rules of Procedure. These rules explain how matters are started, how information is shared, how hearings are conducted, and how decisions are issued.

Before applying for a review or appeal, applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Rules of Procedure carefully.

Applying for a Review or Appeal

Step 1: Confirm Jurisdiction

Before applying, confirm that:

  • The decision you are challenging falls within the Panel’s authority
  • You are within the required time limit
  • You are using the correct form

If a matter is outside the Panel’s jurisdiction, the Panel may dismiss the application.

Step 2: File an Application

Most reviews and appeals begin by submitting Form RAP-1 – Review or Appeal Request, along with any supporting documents.

Applications must generally be filed within 40 business days of the decision being challenged, unless a different timeline is set out in law.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee applies to most review and appeal requests.

Step 4: Panel Process

After an application is received, the Panel may:

  • Request additional information
  • Schedule a management or settlement conference
  • Set the matter for a hearing
  • Dismiss the application if it does not meet legal requirements

Hearings may be held in person, in writing, or by video conference, depending on the circumstances.

Forms

The following forms are used in Review and Appeal Panel proceedings:

Decisions, Records, and Reports

The Panel issues written decisions with reasons. Decisions may be posted publicly, subject to privacy considerations.

The Panel also prepares annual reports summarizing its activities.

Notice of Hearings

Public notices of upcoming hearings, including time, date, and location, are posted on the Tla’amin Nation website and at the Governance House, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

Contact the Review and Appeal Panel

Clerk of the Review and Appeal Panel

Email: rapclerk@gmail.com

Mailing Address:
Review and Appeal Panel
Attn: Clerk
PO Box 264
Lund, BC V0N 2G0

Phone/Text: 604-223-4671

The Review and Appeal Panel is an independent body established under Tla’amin law to hear specific reviews and appeals of decisions made under Tla’amin legislation.

No. The Panel can only hear matters that are specifically assigned to it under the Review and Appeal Law or another Tla’amin law.

No. You may represent yourself or choose to have a lawyer or another representative assist you, at your own cost.

Yes. Most applications must be filed within 40 business days of the decision being challenged. Late applications may be dismissed.

Yes. A $50 non-refundable application fee applies to most review and appeal requests, as set out in the Fees Regulation.

Hearings are generally open to the public unless the Panel determines that confidentiality or the public interest requires otherwise.

The Panel issues a written decision with reasons. In most cases, the Panel’s decision is final, subject to limited rights of judicial review.

All governing documents are available online:

Review and Appeal Law
Review and Appeal Panel Rules of Procedure
Review and Appeal Panel Fees Regulation