The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is a strong supporter of initiatives undertaken by provincial law societies and external organziations to provide resources relating to wellness, mental health and other issues of concern for lawyers. 

Below is a list of some cultural competency resources gathered by members of the committee:

• Barristers’ Society of Nova Scotia has a variety of free, online videos https://nsbs.org/legal-profession/your-practice/practice-support-resources/equity-access-resources/#1-cultural-competency-
   
• CBABC currently offers an online course: “THE PATH – Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada” offered by the CBABC https://www.cba.org/ThePath?_ga=2.263665932.1812806913.1606323873-1028106366.1600720187
   
• Indigenous Perspective Society offers Indigenous Cultural Competency training https://ipsociety.ca/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvKH5652e7QIVicDICh2tAQTpEAAYASAAEgJIFPD_BwE
   
• University of Alberta offers a FREE on-line 12 module course “Indigenous Canada” https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html
   
• University of Toronto offers a FREE course (14 hours) “Aboriginal Worldviews and Education” https://www.coursera.org/learn/aboriginal-education?ranMID=40328&ranEAID=D8u8CTDRU0o&ranSiteID=D8u8CTDRU0o-Tpa3.DoBjDxF8KvXgXAc7A&siteID=D8u8CTDRU0o-Tpa3.DoBjDxF8KvXgXAc7A&utm_content=10&utm_medium=partners&utm_source=linkshare&utm_campaign=D8u8CTDRU0o

• University of Calgary offers a course (for a small price) “Indigenous Relations” https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/writing-symbols/community/indigenous-relations

• Law Society of Saskatchewan has a variety of CPD recordings - currently available https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/initiatives/truth-and-reconciliation/

• Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples, A joint project of: The Advocates’ Society The Indigenous Bar Association The Law Society of Ontario (2018) https://www.advocates.ca/Upload/Files/PDF/Advocacy/BestPracticesPublications/Guide_for_Lawyers_Working_with_Indigenous_Peoples_may16.pdf

• Communicating Effectively with Indigenous Clients, an Aboriginal Legal Services Publication: https://1juibf12bq823l3a7515u1i5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fadden-ALS-2017.pdf

• The Anti-Racism Bookshelf of variety of texts compiled by the Barristers’ Society of Nova Scotia  https://files.constantcontact.com/3744a7b8601/c9449692-79fa-43e3-8879-eca77f62aace.pdf

• Ayisiyiniwak: A Communications Guide, by the City of Saskatoon, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC). https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/communications-guide.pdf

We are pleased to show you profiles of current CDL members each one offers a unique experience.

Olivier Guillaume, Aviva Trial Lawyers

Suzanne Clarke, Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP 

Tino Kasi, Kasi Law

Rabjeet RJ Wallia, Swadden & Company

Click here to read a report on the activities of the Committee to date.

Here are some links to what provinces are offering:

Law Society of Ontario: Discrimination and Harassment Counsel Program

Law Society of Ontario: Womens' online resource centre

Alberta Lawyers Assistance Society

Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program

Resources: Training & Courses

• Law Society of BC is creating a 6-hour mandatory course - available in 2021
• Law Society of Saskatchewan has a variety of CPD recordings - currently available https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/initiatives/truth-and-reconciliation/
• Barristers’ Society of Nova Scotia has a variety of free, online videos https://nsbs.org/legal-profession/your-practice/practice-support-resources/equity-access-resources/#1-cultural-competency-
• CBABC currently offers an online course: “THE PATH – Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada” offered by the CBABC https://www.cba.org/ThePath?_ga=2.263665932.1812806913.1606323873-1028106366.1600720187
• Indigenous Perspective Society offers Indigenous Cultural Competency training https://ipsociety.ca/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvKH5652e7QIVicDICh2tAQTpEAAYASAAEgJIFPD_BwE

Resources: Texts

• Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples, A joint project of: The Advocates’ Society The Indigenous Bar Association The Law Society of Ontario (2018) https://www.advocates.ca/Upload/Files/PDF/Advocacy/BestPracticesPublications/Guide_for_Lawyers_Working_with_Indigenous_Peoples_may16.pdf
• Communicating Effectively with Indigenous Clients, an Aboriginal Legal Services Publication: https://1juibf12bq823l3a7515u1i5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fadden-ALS-2017.pdf
• The Anti-Racism Bookshelf of variety of texts compiled by the Barristers’ Society of Nova Scotia  https://files.constantcontact.com/3744a7b8601/c9449692-79fa-43e3-8879-eca77f62aace.pdf
• Ayisiyiniwak: A Communications Guide, by the City of Saskatoon, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC). https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/communications-guide.pdf

Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair:  Andrea Lim, Dutton Brock LLP