Faculty of Law Newsletter - Summer 2022

Faculty of LAW NEWSLET TER SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Dear Friends of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law W

e have all been watching the war in Ukraine with horror, and I may not be alone in also feeling a sense of disbelief. How did we end up with another war in Europe?

Before the war broke out, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law had established a nascent partnership with the Faculty of Law at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in Kharkiv, and we anxiously await word on how our colleagues there are faring.

War has a way of focusing our thoughts to essential matters, like peaceful dispute resolution. “Use your words” is what we tell preschoolers, encouraging verbal exchange over bites and fisticuffs. Watching the breakdown in peaceful relations in Europe reminds us all of the precariousness of peace, but also of the extraordinary value of the toolkit that our students acquire: the ability to use our words to stand up for the rule of law and to resolve disputes that in other times and contexts may well have descended into battle.

The students who shared my arrival at the Faculty in the fall of 2019 are graduating this year. I am so very proud of them. They have truly seen it all: the shutdown and pivot to online instruction at the end of their first year; the intense IPC work of second year made more of a roller coaster as we all learned how to do this on Zoom; and in their final year, the return to the classroom or in-person placements in the fall, and hybrid instruction this winter term. Huge kudos to our graduates, and appreciation to faculty and staff who taught, encouraged, supported and challenged them. A special shout-out to the LSS executive, your leadership this year was outstanding. Well done, everyone!

Faculty members have made the absolute best of a world living on Zoom and presented their work in far-flung places including China (Prof. Parkes), Ecuador (Prof. Sama) and the US (Prof. Lord). Professors Alford and Parkes have intervened on the constitutional and pedagogical implications of the pandemic at conferences and workshops.

The Faculty welcomed Dr. Jocelyn Downie as this year’s Fox Lecturer, the Natural Resources Committee hosted a wellreceived speaker, and both BLSA and ALSA put on great Zoom events.

2021/22 was also the year of the first cyclical program review for the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. These reviews are mandated for all programs in public universities and require the preparation of a self-study document and a site visit from external reviewers. We greatly benefited from the review as our external reviewers were both gratifyingly impressed with our program and made excellent suggestions for further improvements.

Not everything was virtual. We had almost all classes back in the building in the fall term and hybrid classes permitted some students to have in-person instruction in the winter term. It also has been great to welcome some visitors to the PACI Building and the clinics were able to provide community-based services. Most excitingly, law ball was back!

Thank you for supporting the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law this year!

Jula Hughes, Dean

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Anishnabe OmaaMinowaywin (AOM) F

rom its inception, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law has had the benefit not only of Meeting with Malcolm Mercer (from left to right): Malcolm Mercer, Irene Linklater, Arthur Indigenous leadership support in making the Huminuk, Denise Baxter, Tannis Kastern, Celina Reitberger (committee Chair), Robin Sutherland law school a reality, but also of an Indigenous and Dean Jula Hughes. On screen: Professor David Rosenberg and George Edwards. circle of experts guiding the development of our program. We have benefitted tremendously from their city. Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum advice and stewardship and it is high time to introduce represents the 49 First Nation communities of Nishnawbe the AOM to our newsletter readers. Anishnabe OmaaAski Nation across Northern Ontario. From Treaty #3 (with Minowaywin means The People Who Guide, a name that communities to the west and north of Thunder Bay) Arthur aptly describes the AOM’s function.

Huminuk directs the justice portfolio. Murray Waboose The AOM includes representatives from Fort William First is the AOM member from the Chiefs of Ontario where he Nation, the Anishinabek Nation, Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a senior political advisor. Irene Linklater (ED, NALSC) and Treaty #3, and the Chiefs of Ontario. Experts from the and George Edwards (Gladue Program, NALSC) have been justice portfolios of Indigenous legal services organizations, providing their expertise in Indigenous legal services to the academic leaders in Indigenous education from Lakehead, AOM. George and Celina have also given guest lectures Confederation College and our own Faculty as well as student and presentations to students. The seats for the Thunder and faculty representatives round out the group.

Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and the MNO are current The AOM is chaired by Celina Reitberger, a former vacant and we hope to see them filled in the coming Executive Director of NAN Legal, former board chair of the academic year.

Thunder Bay Police Services Board and provincial appointee Key issues for the AOM over the past year have been the to that board, and a member of Fort William First Nation. transition to law school for Indigenous students (inspiring FWFN is represented by Tannis Kastern, who is serving our summer course for incoming Indigenous students); the as a band councillor in her community. Regional Deputy establishment of the Indigenous Law and Justice Institute; Grand Council Chief Melvin Hardy represents the 39 First improved Gladue and restorative justice education for Bora Nation communities of Anishinabek Nation, and his role is Laskin law students, support for our ILSA chapter, and the focused on the nine communities that make up the Northern recruitment of Indigenous faculty and staff.

Superior Region including communities in Thunder Bay Chi-miigwech to our AOM members for your guidance as well as to the near north, east and south-east of the and contributions to the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.

AOM Committee Spotlight

Robin Sutherland, Director of Indigenous Relations

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’ve officially been a member of the Anishinaabe Oma-Minowaywin (formerly the Aboriginal Advisory Committee) since April 2018 when I accepted the Director of Indigenous Relations role, though I first attended a meeting in November 2017 on behalf of the Vice-Provost Aboriginal Initiatives through my role as Aboriginal Transitions Advisor at the time. Since then, I have seen the AOM as a valuable instrument for community voice and input. With members from the law school’s founding supporters (Fort William First Nation, Anishinabek Nation (formerly the Union of Ontario Indians), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, 2

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Anishnabe Omaa-Minowaywin (AOM)

Grand Council Treaty #3, and the Métis Nation of Ontario), the law school can maintain and strengthen relationships that foster growth and sustainability within both the law faculty and AOM member organizations. Not only are the Dean and I able to gather valuable information and input on the direction we are heading, information and input that I personally value and try to implement, but so too can we provide information on our activities that might open pathways for possible synergies. In the future, I see the AOM continuing to lead the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law on to bigger and brighter horizons.

Sabbatical in Scotland!

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was very fortunate to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland from August to December 2021 as part of my much delayed first sabbatical. I was the keynote lecturer with the Crime, Justice and Society Lecture Series as the 2021 recipient of the MacCormick Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh.

If you wish to see my talk it can be accessed at: https://www. law.ed.ac.uk/research/crime-justice-and-society-seminars My research formed around coercive control and parental alienation. In the 1944 film “Gaslight,” the protagonist deceptively persuades his wife that she is descending into insanity. The colloquialism “gaslighting” has entered the criminal legal discourse and is used to describe those who find themselves victims of reality distortions within a coercively controlling intimate relationship. The intersection of domestic violence and “parental alienation” (PA) has confounded researchers because it is difficult to determine whether PA is prevalent in dysfunctional family relationships or if the phenomenon is a strategic ploy in legal disputes.

Feminist researchers have shown that the abuse suffered by children and the victim parent, usually the mother, has been discredited, dismissed, or greatly minimized by the courts, and the safety of mothers and children are sacrificed in dangerous parenting arrangements that favour the manipulator.

Parental alienation does exist but should be reserved for these rare and specific cases. At present, many women find themselves in the terrible position of choosing their safety or risking the safety of their children, and ultimately custody, when parental alienation is alleged.

Criminal Law and Family Law judges need to be educated on parental alienation, domestic violence, and mental health interventions to dispel the myth that PA discredits allegations of intimate partner violence. It may not be the abuser but rather the legal structure that is gaslighting women who seek the assistance of the system.

Dr. Frances Chapman

Winner of the Gregory Steele QC Prize – Colin Baxter

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he Bora Laskin Faculty of Law would like to congratulate Colin Baxter for winning the Gregory Steele QC Prize. This prize is offered every two years by the Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL). The competition is open to university students across Canada who submit papers that deal with a topic related to law and aging. The entries are judged by a jury composed of CCEL staff members. The competition always attracts strong papers, so Colin’s win is notable. Colin was a member of the inaugural Elder Law class at Bora Laskin in 2021. After the conclusion of the course, he further developed his term paper and used it as a foundation for his submission to the competition. His paper examined issues of legal rights and autonomy for older adults and he applied United Nations principles in making his argument. Colin’s winning paper will be available on the CCEL’s website later this summer.

Congratulations Colin!

Prof. Joan Braun

Congratulations to Professor Wendy Parkes!

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rofessor Wendy Parkes has been nominated by her fellow Executive Board members in the Ontario Bar Association Aboriginal Law Section to be the next Chair of the section. Her team will begin in September 2022.

Professor Parkes is currently the Regional Representative for Northern Ontario.

Professor Parkes has also been appointed as the Regional Representative for Northern Ontario for the Executive Board of the Ontario Bar Association Environmental Law Section.

We are very happy to have Prof.

Parkes representing the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in her new appointments!

Faculty Features

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Welcome to Eugene Meehan

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tudents in LAWS 1030 Legal Research and Writing welcomed lawyer Eugene Meehan on November 15.

Mr. Meehan, a regular visitor to the BLFL, reviewed “50 Do's and Don’ts” for superior legal writing. In his entertaining and inspiring talk, he also spoke about his own experience as a first year law student in Scotland,

and how he overcame the challenges he faced.

Mr. Meehan, who is with Supreme Court Advocacy LLP in Ottawa, advised that he is pleased to offer legal services in English, French and Scottish.

Prof. Wendy Parkes

As a Distingushed Guest Speaker, Peter Wright Returns to the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law

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everal years after pioneering the teaching of mining law at the Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Mr. Peter Wright returns as a distinguished guest speaker.

Mr. Wright is a trustee of Noranda Income Fund and is a member of the governance and human resources committee of the same. Since 2018 he has served as director, corporate secretary, and vice president, legal, of Glencore Canada Corporation.

He spoke on the “Need for legal and regulatory certainty and creativity, from the past towards responsible and clean mining in the 21st century”, a topic that sparked incredible attention and discussion among the attendees.

It was a great treat to listen to Mr. Wright speak from his vast knowledge of the mining industry. The lecture was indeed a glimpse of his grand style of giving back to the Thunder Bay community that he calls home.

Prof. Marin-Joe Ezeudu

Harold G. Fox Distinguished Lecture Series Dr. Jocelyn Downie I was honoured to virtually moderate the questions for the 2022 Harold G. Fox Distinguished Lecture Series Presentation. Our speaker this year was Dr. Jocelyn Downie, University Research Professor in the Faculties of Law and Medicine at Dalhousie University, who discussed her research on “Freedom of Conscience and Religion Meets Medical Assistance in Dying” on the evening of January 25, 2022. Dr. Mariette Brennan introduced our distinguished speaker noting that Dr. Downie “has received a multitude of awards and recognition, including an Order of Canada, for her contribution to public health law and advocacy.”

There was a great turnout that evening (more than 100 participants), and I was happy to field the questions for Dr. Downie. There were audience questions submitted prior to the event and some others were submitted in a 4

Distinguished Lectures

live chat during the presentation (including a question that Dr. Downie said that she had never received before.)

A spirited discussion followed particularly on advanced health care directives and the ability of individuals to make those decisions before they are in a position when they can no longer communicate their wishes. A question about the possibility about “MAiD to order” clinics being a possibility in the future brought a different flavour to the talk and many participants wondered how they could get involved in advocacy in their own communities. Ethical considerations were the capstone to the evening following a discussion on medical ethics and the law. Thanks to Dr. Downie for a wonderful presentation.

Dr. Frances Chapman

Faculty Presentations Ryan Alford I wrote an opinion piece for Newsweek magazine on the subject of the government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act, which was published under the title “Trudeau’s Power Grab is Unconstitutional”, at https://www. newsweek.com/trudeaus-power-grabunconstitutional-opinion-1679605 I also wrote a piece on the subject of the rule of law and protest policing for Inside Policy, the journal of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, under the title “The Dangers of Politicizing the Policing of Protests”, at https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/dangerpoliticizing-policing-protests-ryanalford-inside-policy/ Finally, on March 12th, 2022 I spoke on a panel at Law and Freedom 2022 (the annual conference of the Runnymede Society) along with Cara Zwibel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Christine van Geyn of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, entitled “Lessons of the Pandemic”.

Phil Lord I published this article: https:// papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?ab stract_id=3945957, which I presented

at a symposium at the UNH Law School in the US (the recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= S0cA6fEckyc&t=4083s&ab_channel= UNHFranklinPierceSchoolofLaw) I also published these two articles which I wrote earlier in 2021: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers. cfm?abstract_id=3915077 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers. cfm?abstract_id=3798780 I also published this research note: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers. cfm?abstract_id=4014961, which was presented at a conference: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=VFnefQCXT60 Finally, I wrote a brief in opposition to a class action settlement involving Uber Eats: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/ papers.cfm?abstract_id=4027630.

Semie Sama 1) Lakehead University’s Research and Innovation Week. Climate Change and Action Research Showcase: “Teaching for Climate Action: The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law is Catalyzing Communities of Future Climate Leaders” | Lakehead University 2) Uniandes--First Congress Of The Academic Network Of American Indigenous Law topic: Legal Pluralism And Education Of Law

Wendy Parkes 1) Presentation to International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge students, Canadian International School of Hefei, China (“Indigenous Knowledge - the Canadian Experience”), Jan. 17, 2022 2) Presentation to Teaching Commons Training lectures series (“Collaborative Learning during COVID - Lessons Learned”), March 29, 2022

Speakers Committee O

ur Speakers Committee had an active program and invited a variety of speakers who spoke on topics of interest to the faculty and student body.

On November 2, sole practitioner lawyer, consultant and Indigenous feminist, Naomi Sayers, based in Sault Ste. Marie, spoke about her career highlights and challenges.

On November 6, Teresa Donnelly, Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario, spoke on “Professionalism in the Legal Community.”

On February 1, David Leprofsky O.C, lawyer and disability advocate, spoke on “The Ethical Duty of Lawyers to Engage in Social Justice Advocacy: lessons from the frontlines of the Ontario disability rights movement.” This was a joint presentation with the EDI Committee.

On February 15, lawyer Eric Williams, Counsel to Williams Litigation in Ottawa, spoke on advocacy skills learned from his 40-year career in litigation. With over 180 civil trials and appeals to date, Mr. Williams has been named by his

peers as one of the best lawyers in Canada. Mr. Williams also spoke to students in both sections of Tort Law about his successful defence in the SCC social host liability case, Childs v Desormeaux.

On March 1, lawyers Charles (Chuck) Birchell and Julie Abouchar, of Willms & Shier LLP, discussed recent case law impacting their legal practice at the intersection of energy and resource developments, Indigenous legal issues and environmental law.

Our final speaker, on March 8 was Justice Terry Platana, retired from the Ontario Superior Court in Thunder Bay. Justice Platana discussed effective oral and written advocacy from the perspective of a judge with more than 30 years on the bench.

We really appreciated everyone’s participation and support, and look forward to an exciting agenda for the upcoming school year!

Prof. Wendy Parkes Faculty Presentations

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The Black Law Students Association Update A s we conclude our academic year, the Black Law Students Association wishes to reflect upon the everchanging structure of law school. This year, our focus was educating our fellow law students in recognizing black history and seeking black equality beyond the month of February.

The BLSA was able to host our third annual Black History Month symposium this past year. We put together two events highlighting the law’s relationship with racial hierarchy. Our first event was a conversation with peers aimed at discussing equity, solidarity, and unity prompted by the media. Our second event featured our keynote speaker Joshua Sealy-Harrington, who is a professor at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, a rigorous scholar, and passionate advocate. His speech focused on outlining the past and present politics of race in North America—which cannot be disrupted by neutrality to oppression—through the lens of critical race theory. The event was inspirational as Joshua Sealy-Harrington’s discussion parallels to BLSA’s initiatives in the law school: BLSA aims to create continual opportunities to discuss issues of race and social justice in the community. Our first event in 2020 focused on our founding president’s experience of being the only black law student in their first year of law school. In 2022, our programming focused on the power of working towards equity in unity and solidarity with one another.

The work of BLSA has always been to bring issues of race and inequity to the fore at the law school to investigate the ways in which justice is not only pursued but also the ways in which it is obscured. We hope the efforts of BLSA have blazed a trail for future students to become inspired to continue to pursue racial equity as enthusiastically as we

Asian Law Students Update

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t is such a pleasure to be writing to you all on behalf of Bora Laskin Faculty of Law’s Asian Law Students Association. This student group was founded in 2020 and will mark two years in September 2022! While ALSA at Lakehead University is relatively young, I am proud to report that we have been able to make a significant impact on the student community with our presence.

ALSA aims to promote equity and diversity within both the legal community in Thunder Bay and the legal community beyond Northwestern Ontario and to assist Asian law students in establishing a strong student association at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. One of ALSA’s goals is to engage law students through social and academic events, and panel discussions relating to issues affecting AsianCanadian law students and lawyers. By doing so, ALSA 6

The Black Law Students Association Update

have. We leave you with three essential points of inquiry from which we hope the law student community continues to critically analyze racial inequality and advance racial justice. The social construction of race explains why we must be attuned to systemic racial inequality. And the moral significance of systemic racism explains why our response must be raised through conscious learning and unlearning rather than through the lens of “colour blindness”. We can only fully pursue justice when we are able to recognize both the merits and deficiencies of our existing legal frameworks.

These points of inquiry will elucidate that race is both a stagnant social construction from a colonial past and an evolving social reality for those that are defined by it. That said, the law will, at every step, be used to stop or limit the pursuit of racial justice, which necessitates an attentiveness from all legal professionals to be cognizant of how the law is weaponized against racial equity. Our profession has not eradicated racial subordination but has simply changed the processes through which it is mediated. Not only are these new configurations of racial subordination are harder to detect and insidious, they are also more detrimental to the purpose of ensuring fairness in society.

We leave you with a quote by Justice Abella:

“With knowledge comes understanding, with understanding comes wisdom. With wisdom comes the capacity to make justice happen, and to make justice happen, we can never forget how the world looks to those who are vulnerable.”

Sincerely, The Black Law Students Association

strives to cultivate a strong professional network for its student members by facilitating educational, networking, and mentorship opportunities for AsianCanadian law students. This year, ALSA hosted a panel discussion on anti-Asian racism and effective allyship in the legal field with Rosel Kim, a staff lawyer at LEAF National; Patricia Vo, a lawyer at Petrone & Partners; and Hayley Yorke, a lawyer at O’Neill Associates and current chair of LEAF Thunder Bay. This panel discussion was part of a student-led Anti-Racism Week initiative that was facilitated by the Law Students Society, Asian Law Students Association, and Black Law Students Association at Lakehead University.

ALSA’s efforts this year were focused on solidarity with the BLSA at Lakehead University and about having conversations on campus about race, equity, and effective allyship to promote ethical lawyering and competent legal advocacy.

ALSA thanks the communities we are a part of for their support and involvement. We are enthusiastic about continuing these conversations on equity, diversity, inclusion and the law in the future.

Sincerely, Eman W. Cheema

Student Services Update A

s the saying goes, “Time flies when you’re navigating a hybrid school year, IPC assignments, and a neverending winter”… or something?!

Our Winter term saw an initial pivot back to fully remote learning; however, in late January we were happy to offer students the option to continuing remotely, or in-person for the remainder of the term. We were even able to offer a few hybrid “Coffeehouse” sessions to catch up with students.

Staff, faculty, and student volunteers came together to deliver our second virtual Welcome Day event for all currently admitted incoming students at the beginning of March. It was a great afternoon, featuring a mock lecture by Prof.

Chapman, a “photo tour” of the school, and panel discussions on everything from the IPC to the “must-do” activities in Thunder Bay. We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2025 this fall! We were also glad to host hybrid year-end lunch meetings for the 1L and 2L classes; seeing students gather in person in 0019 to learn about what to expect in the upcoming school year was so nice!

This past year saw the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law participate in six moots/negotiations including the Wilson Moot, the Arnup Cup, the Kawaskimhon Moot, the OTLA Cup, the Walsh Family Negotiation and the Willms & Shier Environmental Moot. For the first time, the BLFL participated in the Willms & Shier Environmental Moot, which is Canada’s first and only national moot court competition devoted to environmental law. Its goal is to promote awareness of the growing role of environmental issues in contemporary legal practice and public life. Thank you to Professor Daniel Dylan for coaching our inaugural team. Congratulations to all of our students who participated in a moot this year: Arpan Brar, James Buchanan, Daniela Dell’Acquila, Miranda Dell’Anna, Holly Dinsmore, Selena Felice, Andrew Forgeron, Danika Goshulak, Emily Graham, Moire Jeganathan, Dildeep

Kullar, Jeffrey Marchuk, Mina Moser, Matt Pascuzzo, Kevin Regimbal, Erin Rooney, Rosalyn Skiffington, Jessica Stickle, Harleen Toor, Courtney Turner, and Leticia Wabash.

Special acknowledgements to Kevin Regimbal (OTLA Cup) for winning “Best Cross Examination” and to Jessica Stickle (Walsh Family Negotiation) for winning the 3rd Overall Individual Student Award. As always, many thanks to all of our coaches who volunteer many hours to support their teams. Your dedication and expertise is truly appreciated.

We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our outgoing LSS members - you did an outstanding job this year!

Special thank you to outgoing President Erin Rooney for her efforts, innovation, and professionalism throughout an unpredictable year which required much flexibility and creativity! Wishing all of you the best as you head into 3L and your final term of classes and Practice Placement. We are pleased to welcome the newly-elected 2022/23 LSS team, led by President Nicholas LeBlanc, and look forward to some great initiatives and collaborations next year!

She’s back! Our Student Services Advisor, Anya Scheibmayr, returned from her parental leave in April and is looking forward to reconnecting with students. Feel free to stop by and say hi, or send her an email!

The Student Services team has a busy summer ahead as we plan for the upcoming academic year and prepare our newest students for law school. But first, we get to celebrate our Class of 2022! Your law school journey was unconventional, yet you navigated every unexpected turn with resolve and adaptability. These skills will certainly serve you well as you begin your legal careers and we cannot wait to see where your future brings you! Hope, Anya, and Sarah wish you all the best on the next chapter – please keep in touch!

Student Services Update

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IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Student thoughts on the 2021/22 year Aria Kamal, 3L:

“I consider my placement to be the absolute highlight of my third and final year at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. In preparation for my role as a placement student at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, I benefitted greatly from the practical skills taught in the Advanced Legal Research and Writing course and others in earlier years. I am confident that our IPC curriculum has prepared me to succeed in my upcoming professional endeavours and will continue to serve as a strong foundation for my subsequent career in law!”

Vanessa Corridore, 2L:

“Prof. Alford tells us that 1L scares you, 2L overworks you, and 3L bores you. Last year didn’t scare me too much, but this year showed me what it truly means to be in law school. I’m thankful for the in-person opportunities and friends that kept me afloat. It’s amazing what you can discover about yourself when you’re pushed past your limits. I’m looking forward to being bored next year, but I’m not counting on it!”

Crystal Binag, 1L:

“In spite of the unforeseen circumstances, 1L was a phenomenal year.

I accepted a Pro Bono Students Canada volunteer position with the Newcomer Legal Clinic and developed a legal education workshop for immigrants and refugees. I was honoured to be of assistance to newcomers in Northern Ontario!”

News from Indigenous Relations A

s a standard Indigenous Relations update, despite the struggles of continuing another year with limited in-person opportunities and increased hybrid learning opportunities, all programming has come to a successful conclusion for the 2021-2022 academic year. I was particularly impressed with the tenacity and initiative demonstrated by the 1Ls in the Indigenous Perspectives (IP) course. The Elders-in-Residence program, Fridays with the Friendship Centre, Drumming and Law, IP Sharing Circles, ILSA events and feasts, and our Graduation Blanket Ceremony were all well-attended and well-received. Most recruitment sessions took place online, with four online events open to all undergraduate students replacing our usual Northern Universities Recruitment Tour.

We had to make the difficult decision to postpone our annual High School Law Day due once again to scheduling difficulties with local high schools because of a limited in-person school year. However, planning is taking place over the summer to develop two days of activities – one focusing on Indigenous Law and one focusing on Aboriginal Law – as well as a sustainable volunteer mentorship program between Dennis Franklin Cromarty (DFC) High School and the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. On the topic of upcoming plans, the Office of Indigenous Relations will be quite busy over the next year and into the future. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has approved our application for a one-year internship in the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The successful candidate will be hired over the summer and will support the Director of Indigenous Relations with administrative duties related to the Indigenous Law

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Faculty Feature LUCLS – Back in the Community!

& Justice Institute, the Indigenous Summer Course, the Indigenous Perspective course, the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA), and student recruitment and retention. The Summer Course will be offered during the last week of August at Quetico Lodge & Convention Centre to incoming Indigenous students and incoming students interested in Indigenous Law. The course will be a blend of legal research and writing, preparation for law school, and Indigenous Law with a focus on land-based teachings.

The Lakehead Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) Chapter launched a new Indigenous Human Rights Clinic over the summer in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), and the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (TBIFC). The clinic provides summary legal advice and information about human rights to Indigenous people living in Thunder Bay and is staffed by Bora Laskin law students and volunteer lawyers trained in cultural competency by the OFIFC. Another exciting development – we have recently received Senate approval to begin offering, a ‘Specialization in Aboriginal & Indigenous Law.’ Students wanting the Specialization designated on their transcript would need to take an approved 1.0 FCE, in addition to taking our three mandatory courses in Aboriginal & Indigenous Law. Last, but certainly not least, the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law and the Indigenous Law & Justice Institute are amid planning the Languages, Land & Sovereignty: Revitalizing Indigenous Legal Orders Conference for Canadian law students from January 26 to 28, 2023. Stay tuned for details!

Robin Sutherland, Director Indigenous Relations

Indigenous Law & Justice Institute Update T

he Indigenous Law & Justice Institute is currently in the process of obtaining an official ceremonial name – we have met with Elder Ron Linklater, offered him tobacco, made our request, and are now awaiting a response. We have also consulted with local artists to determine the best process for obtaining artistic representation of the Institute.

Our goal is to find a ‘logo’ or symbol that best represents the Institute and its’ work, as well as a piece that represents our faculty’s three mandate areas: Aboriginal & Indigenous Law, Natural Resource & Environmental Law, and Small Town & Sole Practice Law. Both a name and symbol are required before we can launch our webpage. Also, another member will be joining our team once she begins her tenure as the law faculty’s newest professor - Larissa Speak. An alumnus of the carter class, she will be working with the Institute more once she has a semester of teaching under her belt.

In terms of outreach and research, the Institute has been busy working with Fort William First Nation (FWFN) and the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) on various initiatives, as well as having preliminary conversations with Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM), Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services (NALS), and Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT3). Our Outreach & Research Coordinator, Sherry Abotossaway has completed several self-governance codes, a Chief & Council procedures manual, as well as protocols for research and consultation. She has also completed a full Restorative Justice Program for use with families, including clients within the criminal, family, or youth justice system, and families who are having issues with their Child and Family Services (CFS) workers. In addition, Sherry and her student researchers have completed registration and designation research to support the MNO in compiling information to

assist potential members in locating their Métis ancestors and registering as Métis citizens. Her research with students has also focused on historical justice principles and Gladue, with the goal of developing a database. Currently she is working on compiling an Institute resource library to be housed in the ILSA Resource Centre and a YouTube channel and/or Podcast for the Institute’s research activities.

Regarding our field school, we had another successful excursion to the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Center and Rainy River First Nations (RRFN) on March 11-12.

About 20 students, staff and faculty travelled to the site to experience programming very similar to that delivered in the fall, however with a few key differences. As there was still snow on the ground, nobody opted for outdoor camping, so we all stayed at the Emo Inn. Furthermore, the weather affected our access to the site and forced a last-minute venue change and shift in agenda timing.

Another layer to this trip was the attempt to livestream all programming content. As we unexpectedly started our day at the RRFN administrative office, we were unable to begin the livestream with our first session. However, we did manage to capture the remaining content at the Historical Centre. (Links are provided below.) Although it was overall a very educational experience for all, we did learn that this trip is best executed outside of the winter months. With that in mind, we are planning our next field trip to the Manitou Mounds in early Fall 2022.

Manitou Mounds Cultural Center Tour Manitou Mounds Museum History Discussion Manitou Mounds Roundhouse Tour Anishinaabe Ancestral Sacred Law

Indigenous Law & Justice Institute Update

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LUCLS – Back in the Community!

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he 2021-22 academic year at Lakehead University Community Legal Services was nothing short of displaying excellence in perseverance! LUCLS was incredibly grateful to be able to get back into the community to assist with birth certificate applications and provide public legal education to organizations and individuals in need.

In September 2021, our clinic caseworkers and lawyers stepped up to volunteer at an ID clinic at Roots to Harvest, helping low income and vulnerable individuals complete birth certificate applications. A birth certificate is the critical piece of government issued ID needed to access government benefits and health and social services. Without a birth certificate, individuals are unable to obtain the requisite ID to access necessities such as emergency food programs and provincial health care.

In October 2021, LUCLS, in partnership with Norwest Community Health Centres and Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, organized a city-wide training event on the process to obtain a birth certificate. Over a dozen of our Bora Laskin Faculty of Law 1L’s participated in this training. When the call came from Wequedong Lodge in November 2021 for assistance with their ID clinic, LUCLS’ caseworkers, and lawyers, together with LUCLS’ trained 1L volunteers, were able to once again be leaders in our community to help with this important event.

Our clinic has also shown determination to continue educating the public on various legal issues. One of the greatest advantages that zoom has brought to our clinic, is the ability

to present on important legal questions to audiences near and far. Under the guidance of our staff lawyers, our student caseworkers committed to providing public legal education on topics including: (1) Housing and Tenants’ Rights; (2) Employment Law; (3) Small Claims Court processes and procedures; and (4) General legal services provided by LUCLS. It goes without saying that LUCLS makes a difference in our community. Thank you to all our 2021-22 caseworkers* for your interest and support of the work we do in our clinic. Your dedication and compassion in continuing to provide access to justice in the community will serve you well!

Rodi-Lynn Rusnick-Kinisky Director, LUCLS *2021-22 LUCLS caseworkers: David Scherbarth, Courtney Blair, Shelby Ernst, Petri Bailey, Monika Steger, Kimberly Kenney, Danika Goshulak, Courtney Turner, Daniel Mulroy, Jessica Macauley, Natasha Gaynor, Ashley Cunha, Meruthula Jeenvananthan, Merritt Baker, Leah Policicchio, John Reason, Jeffrey Hum, Izak Hersch, Julianne Jakobek, Jessi Ruberto, Michael Hyer.

Spring Update from Lakehead Law Students Society

O

n behalf of the Lakehead Law Students Society, I would like to thank everyone for such a great academic year. It has been a true pleasure being the LSS President and I am grateful to have such a wonderful team advocating for our student body.

Thank you to our Vice Presidents and Directors for the 20212022 Academic Year: VP Finance: Matthew Battisti VP Academic: Miranda Dell’Anna VP Operations: Eman Cheema VP External: Mina Moser VP Communications: Vanessa Corridore VP Student Mental Health & Wellness: Zach Warkentin VP Fundraising: Leah Policicchio Directors of 1L Issues: Brittany McQueen & Frederic Diebel Directors of 2L Issues: Emily Hodgins & Rosalyn Skiffington Director of Northern/Rural Affairs: Jeffrey Marchuk 10

LUCLS – Back in the Community!

Outgoing President, Erin Rooney and Incoming President, Nic LeBlanc

As we move into spring and our students move on to new ventures, whether that be a summer job, a welldeserved vacation, or preparing for licensing exams, I will reflect on two successful events held this term.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR ABILITY TO

Charity Games Night Our VP External, Mina Moser planned and facilitated a Charity Games night at Sleeping Giant Brewery. With the help of several local businesses and their generous donations, we were able to raise $1000 for Beendigen, an Anishinaabe Women’s Crisis agency. We are proud of the many students who came out to support our efforts to raise money for a local not-for-profit organization and thankful to the many local businesses who donated gifts in support of this event.

Law Ball The theme of this year’s Law Ball was the Roaring, Soaring Twenties! We are so glad we had the opportunity to celebrate in person again and dance the night away. The evening was filled with good food, hilarious superlatives, and roaring, soaring music. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the event so memorable. Special thank you to Eman Cheema, our VP of Operations who organized the event, the decor team: Daniela Dell’aquila & Jessica Stickle, our many sober volunteers, our CPR volunteer, Nic LeBlanc, and the rest of the team who contributed to the planning and execution of this event!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE Anyone with assets should have a Will to: • protect your family and your estate • minimize taxes • establish a legacy and safeguard future generations A gift in your Will to Lakehead University can: • CHANGE LIVES • remove barriers to a post-secondary education • sustain important programs and initiatives

A GIFT IN YOUR WILL. SOMETHING YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL BE PROUD OF. information contact Lee-Anne Camlin ForFor moremore information contact Kathryn Davidson, Philanthropy Director T: T:(807) 343-8010 Ext. Ext. 84767792 | E: kathryn.davidson@lakeheadu.ca (807) 343-8010 | E: rlcamlin@lakeheadu.ca

Message from the incoming President, Nic LeBlanc On behalf of the incoming LSS executive team, I would like to take a moment to thank the outgoing LSS executive for their leadership during this academic year.

Based on the success of Law Ball, the Charity Games Night, and both the Halloween event and the Students vs.

Lawyers baseball game in the fall semester, you all made a dedicated effort to support and advocate for the Bora Laskin student body. Hannah, Morgan, Dawson, Jen, Matt, Cady, Nahal, Dylan, and I are beyond excited to build on your accomplishments in the fall. To graduating students, I am confident you all will make phenomenal lawyers and wish you all the best. I hope you all have a great summer!

This scholarship meant more to me than ‘just money.’ It was an investment in my future. As a teacher, I hope to inspire my students with the knowledge that education is a powerful tool.”

STEPHANIE SALINAS, Recipient Linda Strey Memorial Education Scholarship All requests remain confidential with no obligation.

Spring Update from Lakehead Law Students Society

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Newcomer Clinic Update T

he Newcomer Legal Clinic’s first year offering immigration and refugee law services as a teaching clinic has been a great success. Until now, newcomers in Northwestern Ontario have not been able to access free legal clinic immigration and refugee law services.

Since September 2021, we have opened over 50 files and served over 100 newcomers. We have seen several clients succeed on applications for temporary and permanent residence with our support. It’s a great privilege to help people in difficult situations navigate the complexities of the immigration system, to help workers and students make plans to stay in Canada permanently, to help people move from being without status to becoming a permanent resident, and to see refugees reunite with their long separated family members.

In addition to our client work, we have worked with a number of organizations in the community to offer public legal education, including the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, Thunder Bay Ventures, the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre, the Community Economic Development Commission, Lakehead University’s International Student Advising, Confederation College, and of course the Lakehead University Community Legal Services. We have held sessions on employment, family law, housing and tenants’ rights, entrepreneurship, and avoiding fraudulent immigration representatives.

It was the students who made the Newcomer Legal Clinic thrive this year. Nine students completed our clinic course. We hope when they graduate that some of them will offer services in immigration and refugee law to the growing newcomer population of our region. In addition to the clinic course students, we have been grateful for the hard work of our two Pro Bono Students of Canada volunteers, who helped us develop high-quality public legal education programs and information.

The Clinic is funded by an 18-month grant from The Law Foundation of Ontario, which expires in October 2022. We are hard at work planning for the next phase of the Clinic’s operations, and looking forward to securing funding to continue its services into next year.

To learn more about the Newcomer Legal Clinic, please visit our website, newcomerlegal.ca.

Jennifer Dagsvik, Director

Email: law@lakeheadu.ca

Web: law.lakeheadu.ca

Twitter:@LawLakehead