January 13, 2021FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ONT – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) congratulates Helen Gertrude Semaganis on her Queen’s Counsel designation. Helen Semaganis is a member of the Poundmaker Cree Nation in Saskatchewan and was called to the Bar in 1996. Helen has practised in the areas of family, employment, wills … Continued
January 12, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) congratulates Justice Ardith (Walpetko We’dalx) Walkem on her appointment to the British Columbia Supreme Court. Justice Walkem is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation who has practiced in the areas of Aboriginal and Indigenous law since she was called … Continued
October 16, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA – The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) in Canada denounces the attack by non-Indigenous fishermen on Mi’kmaw harvesters providing a livelihood and food for their families and community in Mi’kma’ki (what is currently known as Nova Scotia). The recent violent and disturbing acts of terrorism are directly linked to the … Continued
June 17, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ONT – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) expresses outrage and dismay at the continued use of excessive and deadly force by police in Canada against Indigenous Peoples. Rooted in colonialism, the systemic racism and violence against Indigenous Peoples must end. The time for substantive and fundamental … Continued
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
April 30, 2020 Dear Members of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada and Esteemed IPCs, RE: IBA’s 32nd Annual Fall Conference I am writing in my capacity as the President of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) with respect to our 32nd Annual Fall Conference scheduled for October 8, 9 and 10, 2020 … Continued
April 23, 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada ( “IBA”) calls on federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General to immediately release low-risk Indigenous people who are currently incarcerated. For clarity, we define low-risk as anything below dangerous offender, which is a specific designation. With respect … Continued
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
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