Developing the program
I first came to Indigenous Legal Studies in February 2002. At the time, it was called the First Nations Legal Studies ‘program’, with 10 to 15 Indigenous Students coming in annually.
The first year was just quite a learning curve because it was my first work experience in an academic setting. It took about one year to become familiar with the policies, procedures, and common practices within the law school. I learned a great deal from the staff administrator and the JD admissions director, as well as the faculty director of FNLS at that time.
I very quickly decided to do some fundraising for the program to pay for additional cultural support and programming for the students. Our budget was $3,600 annually for FNLS. I approached the Law School Admission Council after I learned from other law school staff about a funding program for recruitment efforts. I also was aware of the provincial funding body called the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund, and was made aware of it through the Indigenous working group on campus.
The Law School Admission Council awarded the FNLS $25,000 to create a recruitment video. One year was spent creating this recruitment video, and I used first-, second-, and third-year law students in the creation of this video. It included writing, directing, and production of the video; it became a recruitment video. It was titled “A Day in the Life of a Law Student”, featuring an Indigenous student, and other participants of FNLS. The funds allowed us to do something different for our recruitment efforts. I wanted to create some materials that were different and could be used during any recruitment efforts that happened.
During my second year at Allard there was a stream of funding for postsecondary programs called the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund. It was a provincial funding body. The proposal we submitted was called “Spirits of the Past, Faces of the Future.” We raised $26,000 to support student cultural and academic events. Over the next two years, this budget provided all the funds to create new cultural programming: drum making, traditional skills events, and invited artists to facilitate. Every Tuesday, we had a speaker series where I invited alumni in to come and speak, and then we provided all the food. A hot lunch was featured once a week, taking place in the FNLS drop in space in the trailers beside the old building.
I also used the funding for student gifts. Grad gifts for the third-years, and other gifts were purchased for extra events such as the annual Christmas party. The event was catered by an Indigenous catering company from Musqueam.
Building community connections
Second year law school has a long tradition of hosting career and mingling evening to introduce the law students to lawyers in Vancouver. I began to host an Indigenous event where all second-year law students were invited, as well as many Indigenous lawyers from Vancouver who were alumni. One year we had at the Alibi Room, and I hired a Native comedian. The second year we did that, it was at Shebeen’s, which is Irish Heather. I invited Indigenous lawyers that worked in Vancouver and I invited all of the law students to attend. Our wine sponsor, Nk’Mip was organized by one of the third-year law students.
There was a group of approximately 12-15 law students who became the core group of students who surrounded me to support everything the program did. They were my volunteers when we hosted events. They also helped bring in money, and they helped make connects with alumni. In my role as First Nations Coordinator I would visit alumni in Vancouver, in person if possible, and invite them to join the FNLS annual events. The top five main annual events were the September Welcome Back Barbeque, the annual Christmas Party, the second-year recruitment event, the end of year event, and the graduation event. Many alumni supported the FNLS program by giving funds, and/or by becoming speakers at our events, and at the lunch-time series.
The students during that time created their own support system. The First Nations Law Students Association was formed between 2003–2006. They had monthly meetings, and hosted special events. That group of students who are now lawyers with a 12-15 year call, still maintain close relationships.
Recruitment
As FNLS Coordinator, I recruited potential law students from across Vancouver, and the province. Attending Career fairs at Douglas College, Langara College, and Vancouver Community College were annual events I participated in. For provincial outreach, I began to attend the All-Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert. For two years, I recruited at that event.
One very successful on-campus event that I created was called “Law School in a Day”. I hosted the event in February, when at the time the annual application deadline was March 1. University and college students from across Vancouver were invited to a one-day event. There were special speakers from alumni, and the student body. It was a catered event from a company in Musqueam. The alumni would speak on topics relevant to the potential law students, and it was meant to be a connection that was inspiring to them. Students would speak about their own experience as a law student regarding the academic workload, and how to maintain balance during law school. Other topics addressed were about social justice, and how to use the law degree to effect change. Bus fare was provided to those attending, as well as the catered lunch.
The good and the bad
One of the changes that I made when I worked up there was to suggest to the hiring committee that when I left the position, and moving forward, that a law degree was required for the position. I felt that someone in that position would benefit the students more by bringing their own experience with them to the job.
I felt like if you’ve been through that experience, you can make more of an impact. In hindsight, that is not necessarily so, because the students that were there when I was there, they loved the work that I did and they appreciated it a lot, and they were very vocal about it. When approaching the position it is about putting your heart and soul into the work. The students will recognize that and respond.
I always tried to create an inclusive environment for everyone. I hosted practical events that were supportive to students who were living on very minimal incomes. I involved alumni at every opportunity. I helped the students make connections for their careers as much as possible.
During my time there the faculty members were very supportive. I was given feedback when I asked for it. I could rely on the administration to support me and give me advice. A strong group of faculty and staff were always there for advice about protocols, and previous history of the FNLS.
There was a real collegiate feeling among faculty and staff. There was a lot of support. One negative I will say, I did feel sometimes like our program was marginalized in that we really didn’t matter. And I think it’s just—I don’t know. Just because sometimes our opinion wasn’t asked in every case for everything, and there was support for what we were doing and the program, but as far as in the law school, like the whole admin law school, I felt like we really didn’t matter that much. So there’s almost like—maybe there was a subtle racism in some way, but that could have just been me personally. I don’t know.
I was involved with more life of the law school. For example I volunteered to coordinate an anniversary event, working alongside a faculty member. I tried to integrate myself more into the life of the law school, and be more involved.
I raised my own budget money for cultural events, student support, and graduation gifts. The fundraising with the Law School admission council, and the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund allowed me to plan any event, and be able to have it catered. Students appreciated the weekly lunches with alumni speakers. Graduation gifts were purchased in North Vancouver at the Squamish Nation store. I wanted to support local artists and carvers. Grad gifts were often a carved pendant, or a tie decorated with Indigenous art.
I raised funds through alumni as well. There were a few alumni who contributed to our main annual events: Welcome Back barbeque, Christmas Party, end-of-year party, and Graduation. Alumni were always invited to and attended these events.
Peacemaking and advising
As coordinator I occasionally acted in a peacemaking role between student and professor. Sometimes a student would be offended by something said in the classroom. I would act as a go-between if asked. I used my skills as a mediator to speak to both sides, and to find a reasonable solution to what may have been a traumatic event. Many Indigenous law students are entering the field to make a difference in Indigenous communities, by way of social justice. Some topics in the classroom would trigger an emotional response from the student. Usually through conversation the differences could be acknowledged and respected.
At times faculty members would approach me for the same reason. Saying something about a student who they were aware was avoiding class, or having an adverse reaction/discussion in class about a particular topic.
Student complaints
We had an occasional student complain about the program, an event, or either the director or myself. When we received a complaint, we worked together to try to fix the problem. We tried to be fair to all students, even when faced with their non-participation.
One year I had a first-year student attending the program, but did not come to class. I encouraged her to take a leave of absence. I felt that she was not benefiting from the legal education by not being there. I wanted her to come back to the program when ready to take part in the classes and the program.