INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION WELCOMES FEDERAL COURT'S AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES PROMOTING INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RECONCILIATION

OTTAWA, ONT – The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) is pleased to announce its support for the latest amendments to the consolidated general practice guidelines of the Federal Court of Canada, which now include provisions allowing individuals involved with the court to make Indigenous land acknowledgments and incorporate references to reconciliation.

The IBA recognizes that the aim of modern land acknowledgements is to encourage recognition of Indigenous history and honour Indigenous contributions to what is now known as Canada.  Land acknowledgements are also an important way to encourage remembrance and research into Canada’s history of colonization. A study into the history of Indigenous and colonial relations is the beginning of a process that leads to an appreciation and understanding of Indigenous nations and the Indigenous lands which they occupy.

A land acknowledgement is not just an educational tool but also a representation of Indigenous jurisdiction over traditional territories. When one recognizes the Indigenous communities upon whose land we stand, we acknowledge the existence of those communities, the history of their jurisdiction, and the continuity of their practices. In other words, land acknowledgements highlighting the existence of Indigenous territories compels a recognition of Indigenous dominion over those lands. 

A land acknowledgement can also serve to emphasize the work that still needs to be done as it relates to our joint occupation, jurisdiction, and reconciliation between Indigenous nations, their communities, and settler society. Particularly when there are people, groups, corporations, institutions, and systems that are benefitting from the continued land dispossession of Indigenous peoples while making these territorial acknowledgements. 

Land acknowledgements become performative when our institutions and organizations fail to put into action the words used in their land acknowledgements. It is important to tie the purpose of land acknowledgements to measurable action that can be felt by Indigenous communities. The IBA looks forward to the continued inclusion of sovereign Indigenous nationhood in our legal institutions.

The IBA is comprised of Indigenous lawyers (practicing and non-practicing), legal academics and scholars, articling clerks and law students, including graduate and post-graduate law students. We are mandated to promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada and the reform of laws and policies affecting Indigenous peoples. We continue our commitment to collective healing and implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action. For more information please visit www.indigenousbar.ca.