In Canada, Indigenous people face significant challenges when interacting with the justice system, including linguistic barriers. Unfortunately, there are numerous stories of police officers and lawyers who assume that an Indigenous person who speaks with an accent is drunk. These individuals wield ultimate power and authority in their positions, and their lack of understanding that…
Feb. 14 is the annual Memorial March for the MMIWG2S across Turtle Island. This is a reminder to lawyers that the final report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S includes 231 Calls for Justice, which outline the steps needed to address the crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. To effectively address…
In recent years, the importance of disaggregated data in uncovering systemic racism and inequalities has become increasingly clear. This data, which provides sub-categories of information such as by ethnic group, gender, occupation, or educational status, can reveal important relationships and disparities that aggregated data may miss. However, collecting and using this data can also cause…
Indigenous women have been subjected to centuries of colonial violence, oppression, and dispossession. The impact of these experiences cannot be overstated, and has had a profound effect on the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of Indigenous women. In order to advance the struggle for decolonization, it is crucial to recognize and embrace the full…
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…
It is widely believed that success in society is a result of individual effort and not systemic privilege. This belief also extends to our understanding of race and racism, where many white individuals may remain unaware of their role in perpetuating systemic injustices against Indigenous Peoples. White innocence refers to the belief held by some…
Sharing circles have been a staple of Indigenous cultures for centuries, providing a space for individuals to come together, share their experiences, and connect with each other. In recent years, sharing circles have gained popularity as a tool for personal growth and community building, and they have been adapted to fit the needs of a…
Indigenous cultures in pre-colonial times had a rich history of embracing diversity in gender and sexuality, including the recognition of individuals who embody both masculine and feminine traits and/or have a non-binary gender identity. These individuals are often referred to as “Two-Spirit.” In traditional Indigenous communities, Two-Spirit individuals were often revered for their unique spiritual…
During the Fall of 2022, I organized a series of kitchen table conversations, known as ᐱᒥᓇᐊᐧᓱᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ piminawasowikamik, at the University of Alberta. These conversations were based on the concept of visiting with each other to gather information rather than Euro-centric methods of “gathering data” that are non-relational, not meaningful., and not respectful. The practice of…
Decolonization is a crucial process in Canadian jurisprudence, as it involves recognizing and addressing the harm caused by colonialism and the ongoing impacts of past injustices on Indigenous peoples. One important aspect of this process is the need for education and training for lawyers, judges, and academics on the history of past and present-day colonialism,…
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