Applying the Seven Grandfather Teachings to Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A Framework for Meaningful Engagement
Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as a dedicated time to honour the survivors, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system—a dark chapter in Canada’s history that has enduring ramifications. The observance is also part of a broader mandate by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to foster public dialogue around the…
Good Intentions and Their Limits in the Quest for Truth and Reconciliation
The landscape of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is often punctuated by ‘good intentions,’ that in practice, fail to accomplish the transformative change that is urgently needed. Symbolic gestures, limited engagements, and superficial policies are the most glaring manifestations of such failed intentions. The ephemeral nature of these efforts belies a lack of systemic commitment…
Breaking Free from the “Good Girl Syndrome”: Embracing the Bad Girl Era
Are you tired of playing by the rules, adhering to societal expectations, and constantly striving to be the “good girl”? Do you feel like your efforts go unnoticed, preventing necessary change from happening in the world? It’s time to question the status quo and step into the Bad Girl Era, where authenticity, rebellion, and self-empowerment…
Sustainable Futures: The Role of Indigenous Law in Addressing Climate Crises and Environmental Degradation
The domain of my primary inquiry of interest for my PhD in social sciences is the urgent need for decolonization and the integration of Indigenous law into colonial common law societal structures that perpetuate violence towards Indigenous Peoples daily. This inquiry responds to the persistent impacts of colonization on Indigenous Peoples and seeks to dismantle…
Ethical Space and Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Fostering Understanding and Empowerment
In the pursuit of justice, legal practitioners must recognize the significance of trauma and its impact on individuals navigating the legal system. Trauma-informed lawyering emphasizes the need for compassionate and sensitive legal services. In this context, the concept of ethical space, as introduced by Willie Ermine, plays a crucial role. This blog explores the concept…
Catalyzing Transformation
A shift is happening. A shift away from historical wrongs and toward a future where Indigenous law integrates into every fabric of society. Not merely for cultural competency, but for deep, profound, transformational change. Change that touches every sector, every individual, every community. Change that can lift the limitations of outdated colonial structures and lay…
Decolonizing Professional Responsibility in the Legal Profession: An Examination of Respect and Bravery from the Seven Grandfather Teachings
The legal profession, much like other institutional structures, is deeply interwoven with the legacies of colonialism, which have often led to the marginalization of Indigenous voices and perspectives. Recognizing this legacy is the first crucial step in the journey towards transformation—a journey that necessitates not a mere shift but a profound metamorphosis in our attitudes,…
