UN Report on Indigenous Peoples and the Right to Participate in Decision-Making
June 2010 - The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the UN Human Rights Council has issued a Preliminary Report which deals with the international human rights framework, internal decision-making processes of the Indigenous Peoples and their participation in decision-making mechanisms related to State and non-State institutions, and to the processes affecting Indigenous Peoples. The Report will be discussed at the 3rd session of the Expert Mechanism in Geneva from July 12 to July 16, 2010. The members of the Expert Mechanism have one year to deliver the final report to the Human Rights Council and they welcome feedback on the Preliminary Report from Indigenous organizations.
View the Report…
Truth and Reconciliation: It’s About Respect – June 16-19, 2010 (Winnipeg)
The Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s first national event on Indian Residential Schools will take place in Winnipeg from June 16-19, 2010 at The Forks, a traditional gathering place for Indigenous Peoples. This four day event includes cultural ceremonies and a wide variety of programming including live music, dancing, theatre, and film screenings. The TRC will also be gathering statements from anyone who has been affected by the Indian Residential Schools legacy.
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Justice Tony Mandamin Speaks in Toronto - June 11, 2010
The Law Society of Upper Canada, the City of Toronto First Nations Celebration Committee, Aboriginal Legal Services Toronto, the Indigenous Bar Association and the Aboriginal Working Group of the Equity and Aboriginal Issues Committee are pleased to host a celebration for National Aboriginal Day in Ontario featuring Justice Leonard Mandamin of the Federal Court of Canada who will speak about developments in progress at the Federal Court of Canada relating to Aboriginal claimants and lawyers.
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Free Workshop on Aboriginal Sentencing at UBC – June 16, 2010
The Legal Services Society of British Columbia is conducting a free workshop on Aboriginal sentencing at UBC Buchanan Room D20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on June 16, 2010. Please see the attached flyer for more information, and RSVP to Pamela Shields if you would like to attend: (604) 601-6298 or pamela.shields@lss.bc.ca
Download the workshop poster.
Inspiring Stories Connecting Future Leaders Event – June 16, 2010
The Law Society of British Columbia is holding a free event at the UBC First Nations House of Learning on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at which Aboriginal leaders will share their inspirational stories and strategies for success in the legal profession. Designed for all, Inspiring Stories Connecting Future Leaders will also be a networking opportunity for, in particular, lawyers practising Aboriginal law, Aboriginal lawyers, law students, and those considering a legal career. Retired Judge Alfred J. Scow, the first Aboriginal lawyer and person appointed to the Bench, will be recognized for his outstanding contributions; Tina Dion of the Scow Institute will speak to his achievements. Download the poster.
Panelists who will share their successful career strategies include: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, BC’s Representative for Children & Youth; Grand Chief Edward John, First Nations Summit; and Elizabeth Hunt, a member of the Law Society’s Equity & Diversity Advisory Committee. The Law Society will provide lunch and refreshments.
The Law Society welcomes Aboriginal lawyers from outside the Vancouver area and is providing a limited number of access grants to Aboriginal lawyers who need to travel significant distances in order to attend. Allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis and only successful applicants will be notified. Application for the grant can be made on the registration form.
Our Fundraising & Membership Drive
As the national professional association for First Nation, Inuit and Métis law school graduates, the IBA works to enrich Canada through the promotion and recognition of Indigenous laws, customs and traditions; to promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada; to promote the reform of policies and laws affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada; and to foster public awareness within the legal community, the Indigenous community and the general public in respect of legal and social issues of concern to Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Without your support we cannot achieve these objectives.
We invite our members to make additional donations of support . To make a donation please click here.
We also encourage all Indigenous law graduates to join us in this important work by becoming members of the IBA. Sign up and be recognized! Click here to either renew your IBA membership or to become a new member.
IBA Mourns the Loss of Wayne Haimila
The Indigenous Bar Association is saddened by the passing of its member
and friend, Wayne Haimila. Wayne graduated from the University of
British Columbia Law School in 1979 and has served for many years as
Senior Counsel to the First Nations Tax Commission (formerly the Indian
Taxation Advisory Board). Wayne attended and spoke at many IBA
annual fall conferences and was very supportive of the IBA over the
years. Wayne had recently been undergoing treatment for cancer and
passed away in his sleep during the morning of March 10, 2010. Please
join us in passing on our most sincere condolences to Wayne's family and
friends, and to all those at the First Nation Tax Commission. Read more…
NOMINATE A LAWYER - Equality Day - Submit Nominations by March 19, 2010
To mark the 25th Anniversary of s. 15 (the equality provision) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, LEAF (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund) would like to recognize the tireless work of lawyers who have done so much for both LEAF and the practice of women lawyers. For the event we would like to recognize their contributions and highlight the role of women in the law.
Please complete a nomination form to nominate a lawyer who has made a difference to LEAF, to women in the law or to women’s equality. All nominations will be recognized.
U of T Law is seeking an Aboriginal Law Program Coordinator
The Aboriginal Law Program Coordinator will develop and implement a range of innovative and responsive initiatives designed to foster the success of prospective and current Aboriginal students at the Faculty of Law. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 5, 2010. For more information see the job posting.
Intensive Program Opportunities for Law Students
The Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governments is offered each year through Osgoode Hall Law School. The program is open to all law students from across Canada and provides excellent opportunities for law students to spend one intensive semester working with Indigenous communities and organizations. The deadline for applications to the next offering of the Intensive Program is March 15, 2010. For more information see the Message from the Directors and the FAQ’s.
Call For Cases Related To Access To Land And The Right To Food
GENEVA - The Special UN Rapporteur on the Right to Food has issued a call for cases related to access to land and the right to food. Deadline for submission is January 22, 2010. A final report will be submitted/addressed to the UN General Assembly in October 2010 by the SR on the Right to Food. As part of this process, a number of regional consultation meetings will be organized. The consultations will invite representatives from cases selected by the Rapporteur and his research team and will, of course, inform the UNGA report. This is very relevant to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in terms of land rights and food security.
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Submission Form
ore
Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI): Second Quarterly Report / Bureau de l'enquêteur
OTTAWA, December 18, 2009
The Ombudsman for Canada’s federal prison system, Mr. Howard Sapers, today issued his second quarterly assessment of the Correctional Service’s progress in preventing deaths in custody. Enclosed please find copies of the OCI's second quarterly report on CSC's response to deaths in custody reports, as well as a press release. These documents are also available at www.oci-bec.gc.ca
DiverseCity onBoard - Changing the Face of Governance
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is one of the most diverse regions in Canada, with a visible minority population projected to exceed 50% by 2017. Agencies, boards and commissions and voluntary organizations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) deliver a wide range of essential services and programs to its residents. Yet the leadership of these organizations and institutions does not reflect the GTA’s diversity.
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In Memory
Dr. Roger Colenso Carter OC, QC, SOM, LL.D.
Honourary Member of the Indigenous Bar Association
Founder, Native Law Centre of Canada
(March 23, 1922 - February 10, 2009)
Roger Carter was a visionary, a scholar, and a mentor whose contributions to the legal profession and legal education - particularly legal education for Aboriginal people - cannot be overstated. As founder of the Program of Legal Studies for Native People (1973) and the Native Law Centre (1975), he inspired, influenced, and created opportunities for Aboriginal people to study and practice law, and promoted research and scholarship in the field of Aboriginal law. His legacy of legal education and justice for Aboriginal people will continue for generations to come.
Alumni and Students are in the process of planning a special Memorial Service to be held at the Native Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, TBA.
Donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the Roger Carter Scholarship Fund, c/o Native Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Room 160, 15 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A6
For more information on the Scholarship see:
http://www.usask.ca/nativelaw/programs/scholarships.php
Intensive Program in Aboriginal
Lands, Resources & Governments
Established by Osgoode Hall Law School in 1993, the Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources & Government is the most ambitious of its kind in North America. It combines rigorous academic experience with challenging placements in the field.
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Nomination to the Processional Institute of the Public Service of Canada Gold Medal Award
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The Indigenous Law Journal at the University of Toronto is
now accepting submissions for Volume VIII (Fall 2009).
Read the Submissions
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