A Historic Day in the Legal Profession: The Path to Cultural Competency in Alberta, and We did it! Meegwich!

Today is a historic day for the legal profession in Alberta, as lawyers across the province gather to vote on the mandatory requirement of taking The Path (Alberta), an online Indigenous Cultural Competency Education course I developed. This training is designed to enhance cultural understanding and improve the relationship between the legal profession and Indigenous Peoples.

The significance of this education cannot be underestimated. Indigenous Peoples have a marked relationship with the legal system, which is often characterized by distrust and a lack of understanding. The Path (Alberta) aims to address this by providing lawyers with the foundational knowledge needed to work effectively with Indigenous clients and communities. This is not only beneficial for lawyers, but for society as a whole. This education covers topics such as the history of Indigenous peoples in Alberta, the impact of colonialism, treaties and Indigenous rights and laws, and cultural competency.

By offering this education, The Path (Alberta) helps lawyers build stronger relationships with Indigenous clients and provides more effective legal services to Indigenous communities. The legal system plays a vital role in promoting reconciliation and healing between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Peoples, and The Path (Alberta) lays the foundation for the truth to be told and for lawyers to make the first move.

The outcome of today’s vote will be a defining moment in the history of the legal profession in Alberta and will indicate the profession’s commitment to reconciliation and cultural competency. Regardless of the result, it is important to remember that reconciliation is a continuous process. The Path (Alberta) is just one step in that journey, but a critical one. By promoting cultural understanding and creating bridges between the legal profession and Indigenous peoples, this program has the potential to promote ethical engagement and lead to a more just society.

In conclusion, today’s special meeting is a significant moment in the history of the legal profession in Alberta and will determine its future relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Regardless of the outcome, The Path (Alberta) is an important step towards reconciliation and cultural competency, and should continue to be supported and promoted by the legal profession and at law schools in the years to come.

Update: Today, we prevailed, (more to discuss later).

Meegwich to the Indigenous lawyers and allies who voted against the petition.