THE IBA CONGRATULATES NINGIUKADLUK MARY SIMON, CANADA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS GOVERNOR GENERAL-DESIGNATE

For Immediate Release  July 12, 2021 Ottawa, ONT – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) congratulates Ningiukadluk Mary Simon, the first Inuk and first Indigenous person named Governor General of Canada. Known as a skilled diplomat and strong advocate of Inuit rights, Ms. Simon’s recent appointment as Governor General-designate is historic, well-deserved, and … Continued

THE INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO MOURN GENERATIONS OF INDIGENOUS CHILDREN VICTIMIZED BY CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL “SCHOOL” SYSTEMS

For Immediate Release Wednesday, June 30, 2021 For those presently in need of support during these trying times, the IBA urges you to contact the Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419, or the Indigenous Residential School Survivors’ Society at 1-800-721-0066. Ottawa, ONT – Following the recent announcement of several-hundred unmarked gravesites located within Cowessess First … Continued

THE INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION IN CANADA GRIEVES WITH THE TK’EMLUPS TE SECWEPEMC AND ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CANADA WHO CONTINUE TO SUFFER THE EFFECTS OF GENOCIDE

For Immediate Release Friday, June 11, 2021 OTTAWA, ON – The members of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) are horrified by the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the reserve of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc near the Kamloops residential school. The members of the IBA, many of whom are related … Continued

IBA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AND CALLS UPON FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE MEDIA TO PUT AN END TO SYSTEMIC ANTI-BLACK RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION IN CANADA

June 7, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ONT – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Canada and the United States and the protests that have emerged following the deaths of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and so many other … Continued

THE INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR AN INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF 16-YEAR-OLD INDIGENOUS GIRL SHOT AND KILLED BY WINNIPEG POLICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 15, 2020 OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association (“IBA”) expresses profound outrage and dismay at the disproportionate use of force by a member of the Winnipeg Police Service (“WPS”) who shot and killed Eishia Hudson, a 16-year old Indigenous girl last week. Despite numerous calls by local Indigenous and human rights … Continued

INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES PREMIER’S UNDERSTANDING OF LAW

April 10, 2020 By Alexandria Winterburn, Member-at-large and Brooks Arcand-Paul, Vice President Premier Brian Pallister’s response to the proposed federal legislation on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UN Declaration”) implies Premier Pallister has a callow and concerning  understanding of Aboriginal and Treaty rights and the fundamental history and laws of … Continued

THE IBA CALLS ON CANADA TO ASSIST WITH THE PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS LAWS AND TO SECURE SPACE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICE OF SUCH LAWS

The IBA Applauds the Name Change of “Killsquaw Lake” to Kikiskisitotawânawak Iskwêwak Lakes in Saskatchewan

For Immediate Release November 20, 2018 THE INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS THE NAME CHANGE OF “KILLSQUAW LAKE” TO KIKISKISITOTAWÂNAWAK ISKWÊWAK LAKES IN SASKATCHEWAN OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) applauds the efforts in Saskatchewan to change the name of “Killsquaw Lake” to Kikiskisitotawânawak Iskwêwak Lakes (which translates to “We honour the women” Lakes … Continued

Canada Officially Removes Obiector Status on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Tuesday

OTTAWA – The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) recognizes the Government of Canada’s recent decision to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in accordance with the Canadian Constitution and without “qualification.” The IBA was interested in the Minister of Indigenous Affairs’ announcement regarding the Declaration, “breathing life into Section … Continued