PRESS RELEASE: LSAC JOINS LEVEL TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS YOUTH THROUGH JUSTICE EDUCATION

November 14, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL JOINS LEVEL TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS YOUTH THROUGH JUSTICE EDUCATION

Toronto, ON – Level is proud to announce the Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) $120,000 sponsorship of its Indigenous youth outreach program, “Dare to Dream.”

Dare to Dream engages Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth through interactive justice education workshops and mentorship activities. By bringing together Indigenous communities and members of the legal community, the program breaks down barriers, increases confidence and access to the justice system, and empowers Indigenous youth to reach their full potential.

“We are delighted to welcome LSAC as a premier sponsor and partner of Level’s Dare to Dream program,” said Brittany Twiss, Executive Director at Level. “We know that Indigenous youth are engaged and passionate about the legal issues affecting their communities, and our goal is to ensure that the students interested in pursuing legal education have the tools, knowledge and confidence to succeed. With LSAC’s generous contribution, Level will reach even more Indigenous youth across the country.”

Randy Bottle, Blackfoot Elder from the All Tall People Clan in Calgary, Alberta added, "The Dare to Dream program is casting a new vision for the future of our young people. The relationship development that occurs between the lawyers and the youth builds self-confidence and mutual respect. The youth see the justice system in a different light, and learn about their potential to impact change."

LSAC’s support, provided through LSAC’s Diversity Initiatives Fund, which encourages underrepresented groups to pursue legal education, supports Level’s efforts to expose Indigenous youth to the positive side of the Canadian justice system. With this funding, Level will continue to develop programming that will encourage Indigenous youth to pursue law school.   

“The Law School Admission Council, whose membership includes Canadian and US law schools, is honored to include Level as one of its grant recipients,” said Kent Lollis, Executive Director for Diversity Initiatives at LSAC. “The services provided by Level to Indigenous students are important to communities and provinces across Canada.”

Level would like to thank its Dare to Dream Elders and Indigenous advisors in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan for their invaluable support, advice and encouragement in the continued development and delivery of the program.

For more information, watch Level’s Dare to Dream video, which features students from the First Nations School of Toronto.

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About Level:

Level (formerly Canadian Lawyers Abroad), is a charitable organization that unites the power of people, education and law to create a more equitable and just society. The organization achieves its mission through community programming that aims to level the playing field and increase access to justice for marginalized communities worldwide.

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For more information, contact Brittany Twiss, Level’s Executive Director, at  brittany@leveljustice.org or 647-880-2160.