How the legal community can help Aboriginal youth achieve their dreams
Finally, a much-needed discussion is taking place in Canada. As a result of the dire living conditions faced by the members of the First Nations community of Attawapiskat, many Canadians are coming to the realization that we have third world living conditions within our own country. While Canada ranks 6th in the United Nations Human Development Index, Canada's Aboriginal population would rank 73rd applying the same index. The question many Canadians are now asking is: How can we all work together to improve the lives of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada over the long-term?
That was the very question we asked through the summer and fall during consultations across the country with Aboriginal leaders, lawyers and law students. What can CLA and the legal and business communities do to support Aboriginal peoples and ensure that they prosper and thrive in Canada? While CLA assists excellent organizations supporting Indigenous peoples in Canada’s North such as the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council and the Legal Services Board of Nunavut, we felt that CLA could and should be doing more here at home.
There was clear support at all levels for building on our current programming to include initiatives that ensure Aboriginal law students have access to opportunities that give them the legal and business skills they need to succeed and to help their communities prosper. However, we were also encouraged to expand our efforts to support Aboriginal youth, help them complete high school, and introduce them to law and law-related careers. Everyone was adamant that increasing the high school graduation rates of Aboriginal youth from the current 40% level is key not only to the success of individuals, but also of communities. It’s also critical to the success of Canada given that Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing population group. It is estimated that over $170 billion could be added to Canada's economy by 2026 if Aboriginal peoples achieved the same education levels as other Canadians.
However, it is a complex problem. Justice LaForme, the first Aboriginal judge to be appointed to an appellate court, put it in these sad terms: “Too many Aboriginal children don’t dream the same dreams as other Canadian children. They don’t dream of becoming doctors, lawyers or teachers. Many don’t even dream of finishing high school.”
In response to what we learned and heard, CLA is launching Dare to Dream, a program to support and inspire Aboriginal students and help them to reach their potential – student-by-student. Working with great like-minded organizations like the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) and Legal Leaders for Diversity in Law (an excellent organization led by top General Counsel in Canada), the Dare to Dream program will:
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Increase and promote opportunities for Aboriginal law students. CLA is working with the IBA to expand our Internship Program to include new opportunities for students to work with Indigenous communities. CLA is also encouraging businesses and law firms to promote diversity in their ranks by hiring Aboriginal students and lawyers. For example, CLA is encouraging companies to follow the excellent initiative of the in-house legal group at the Royal Bank of Canada to create an Aboriginal Articling Program. As emphasized by Legal Leaders for Diversity, the business case is clear: “Diversity and inclusion creates a broader, richer environment that enhances creative thinking, innovation and problem solving. Inclusive organizations attract and retain top talent.” Another great initiative is the Law Society of Alberta's Aboriginal Law Student Summer Employment Program where firms and companies provide summer opportunities for Aboriginal law students.
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Engage CLA’s Student Chapters and network, especially Aboriginal law students and lawyers, in mentoring and high school outreach with Aboriginal high school students. The goal is to give Aboriginal students meaningful opportunities to interact with law students and lawyers who will mentor and serve as role models, increase their knowledge about law and the legal system, and introduce them to law and law-related careers. The good news is that during our consultations, we met with many inspiring and passionate Aboriginal law students and lawyers who are working in government, with companies, at law firms and at law schools, who want to participate and be role models for the next generation.
Equally important, Dare to Dream is intended to foster a better understanding in the legal and business communities about Canada’s history with its Aboriginal peoples, to challenge assumptions, and to raise awareness about Aboriginal cultures, traditions and issues. Unfortunately, law schools spend little time teaching law students about Aboriginal law and justice. But in the real world, the lives of Aboriginal peoples are intertwined in so many ways with the law – everything from status to land title, from economic development to the justice system. As Phil Fontaine said in his speech to the Public Policy Forum, we need to achieve a "common understanding to carry us foward to a brighter and more hopeful future."
During our recent Student President training, Jeffery Hewitt who is Cree and General Counsel for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, talked about the question of Who Belongs in Canada and whether we act as if it includes our Indigenous peoples. Jeffery spoke about pow-wows where grass dancers are sent in first because they are soft but firm and gentle. They ask the grasses to bend, not break, in order to make room for everyone. He concluded by challenging our students to find ways in their personal and professional lives to move as grass dancers and make room for everyone in Canada. That’s something that we should all be doing.
Please helps us in engaging and empowering Aboriginal youth. You can donate quickly and securely online to DARE to DREAM through CanadaHelps by clicking HERE.