We call upon the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Why “In Progress”?
Federation of Law Societies of Canada made commitments to respond to the Calls to Action on Mar. 11, 2016, Nov. 20, 2017 and Nov. 15, 2019. On June 6, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved 9 recommendations that chart path towards reconciliation.
On Aug. 7, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved all nine recommendations including mandatory Indigenous cultural competency training and ensuring access and availability to educational opportunities and collaborating with Indigenous organizations in the development and delivery of cultural competency training.
Most of the Provincial Law Societies have initiated a response to this Call to Action. The Canadian Bar Association endorses this C2A as do multiple Faculties of Law.
Current Status
April 4, 2022
In Progress
Previous Status
February 14, 2022
In Progress
Latest Updates
Site last updated on November 9, 2020
Commitment of Law Societies
Law Society of Alberta
Pipestone Flyer – All lawyers in Alberta will take Indigenous Cultural Competency training starting in early 2021 as part of the Law Society of Alberta’s response……
November 9, 2020
Commitment of Law Societies
Commitment to Reconciliation
Federation of Law Societies – Federation Council unanimously approves recommendations that chart path towards reconciliation. The report was released on June 6, 2020 with 9……
June 6, 2020
Commitment of Law Societies
The Law Society of British Columbia
The Law Society of British Columbia has moved to require Indigenous cultural competency training for all practising lawyers in the province, in response to gaps……
December 9, 2019
Commitment of Law Societies
Nov 15, 2019
Commitment by incoming President Morgan Cooper, General Counsel of Memorial University in St. Johns Newfoundland to press ahead with work in response to the Calls……
November 15, 2019
Commitment of Law Societies
University of Saskatchewan Nunavut Law Program
Announced funding for the University of Saskatchewan Nunavut Law Program at the Nunavut Arctic College, a legal education program designed to increase the number of……
July 28, 2019
Law Society of Ontario Review
Law Society of Ontario Review
Jul 03, 2018: LAC SEUL FIRST NATION — The process that Canada followed to compensate Indian Residential School survivors was so flawed that it should be reopened,……
July 3, 2018
Commitment of Law Societies
The Law Society of Saskatchewan
The Law Society of Saskatchewan (the “Society”) recognizes the significance of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is committed to implementing the……
June 22, 2018
Commitment of Law Societies
Law Society of Ontario
A series of strong recommendations designed to make the Law Society’s regulatory and hearing processes more culturally competent and culturally safe for Indigenous Peoples was……
May 24, 2018
Guide for Lawyers
Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous People
Developed by The Advocates’ Society, the Indigenous Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario, The Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous People was developed to provide……
May 23, 2018
Bringing Balance to the Scales of Justice
Indigenous developed workbook
A new booklet designed for people working in the criminal justice system aims to give more context and understanding when working with Indigenous people involved……
March 12, 2018