Opening Address
Featuring CBA National President Janet Fuhrer and The Honourable Kathleen Ganley, Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 8:30am - 9:45am
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 8:30am - 9:45am
Law Society of Alberta Plenary
Actioning Truth & Reconciliation Recommendations: A First Step
Presented by The Law Society of Alberta
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 10:00am - 11:45am
Presented by The Law Society of Alberta
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | 10:00am - 11:45am
For the over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who attended residential schools over a 100 year period in Canada, the cumulative impact is a legacy of unresolved trauma passed from generation to generation, and has had a significant effect on the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, aims to raise awareness about the history of the schools and to guide a reconciliation process that fosters healing and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect. The report contains 94 recommendations, some of which make a direct call to action to the legal profession to acquire skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism. The Law Society of Alberta recognizes the significance of this work. As a first step of many, we are dedicating our plenary session at the Canadian Bar Association’s Annual Conference in Calgary, Thursday, January 28, 2016, to starting the conversation with Alberta lawyers on how we can improve the way in which we provide legal services to First Nations, Métis and all Albertans. |