On behalf of the IBA Board of Directors, our IPC’s and our members, welcome to the IBA website.  We hope you enjoy your time here and invite you to come back often.

The IBA has been busy since the 2009 fall conference and AGM.  The Board is currently finalizing a work plan that will see the IBA focus this year on increasing and improving its communications with members, undertaking membership outreach, supporting mentoring for our students and new calls, and focusing on several key projects including: work with Elders on Indigenous law and oral history evidence; advocating for a commission of inquiry into the murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada; explore initiatives on citizenship and human rights issues; and community education and advocacy on the UNDRIP.

More information about the work plan and specific projects will be available soon.

Elders’ Gathering
One of our key initiatives that we’ve been busy with over the last few months is organizing the IBA’s first ever Elders’ Gathering.  In fact, I am writing this message from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba where we’ve just wrapped up the IBA Elders' Gathering on Oral History Evidence held at Turtle Lodge.  This is an initiative that came from the work we have been doing with Elders and the Federal Court of Canada.  At the last meeting of the Elders and the Federal Court's Aboriginal Bar Liaison Committee in October 2009, the Elders instructed that they wanted a meeting for the Elders to be held at Turtle Lodge where the IBA would brief them on the issues that have arisen in the FCC regarding oral history evidence.

The event wrapped up this afternoon and was a tremendous success.  I believe that this Gathering was extremely significant for the IBA’s future, particularly in light of the IBA’s vision to “enrich Canada through the promotion of Indigenous laws, customs and traditions”. Wonderful opportunities are being created for us that will assist us in achieving our vision.  A second Elders’ Gathering is now planned for mid-August 2010 to carry on with the work undertaken this week by the Elders and the IBA. 

IBA Membership Drive

We are undertaking a membership and fundraising drive to encourage Indigenous law grads to renew/purchase their IBA memberships, and asking IBA members to also consider donating to the IBA.  We will not be able to achieve our goals without the support and participation of our membership.

Congratulations to our Most Esteemed NAAA Recipient, Don Worme, IPC
I was very happy to have recently attended the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Regina and to see Don Worme, IPC, receive the Law & Justice Award.  It was a wonderful evening and celebration.  Congratulations again, Don!

Please watch for updates from the IBA Board, which we will be issuing on a regular basis.

Marsee,
Margaret