August 28, 2024 – As the summer wraps up, I am reflecting on all the exciting things that happened over the past few months including the Strategic Planning Sessions that occurred with management. The strategic planning sessions allowed the management to express the strengths of the organization as well as the gaps that need to […]
Read more »On June 14, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal released its decision in R. v. Cope, a case in which Aboriginal Legal Services had intervened by providing written and oral submissions. ALS was pleased with the decision that recognized the important role of Gladue factors in sentencing, provided guidance about the recommendations of sentencing circles […]
Read more »ALS is always a busy place, but May 29 was even busier than usual. Multiple staff from different programs had important events going on. They include: Staff and volunteers with the Giiwedin Anang Council were facilitating a circle (Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution) with a family concerning a young child in the care of a child […]
Read more »ALS endeavours to provide consistent and ongoing training to staff; one way this manifests is in twice annual training for Gladue staff. The staff, comprised of Gladue Writers, Gladue Caseworkers, and support staff, totaling approximately 30 people, gather together from across the province, from Sault Ste. Marie to Ottawa region, to spend time together and […]
Read more »Aamjiwnaang First Nation – On June 19, 2024, Aboriginal Legal Services attended the Summer Solstice Ceremony in Aamjiwnaang First Nation conducted by the Anishinaabe Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario. The Summer Solstice ceremony is one of the many ceremonies that clients will be able to access through the Sharing Our Stories to Help Each Other program.Aboriginal […]
Read more »Toronto, Ontario – On June 26, 2024, Aboriginal Legal Services held an open house for the new Indigenous Knowledge Centre located at the new Toronto Court House. The open house was an opportunity to bring people together and present the vision for the Indigenous Knowledge Centre.The open house began with an opening song from the […]
Read more »June 21 is summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a traditional time of celebration and ceremony for many Indigenous communities in Canada. It is also National Indigenous Peoples Day.The recognition of this day is the result of many years of advocacy. This includes a call in 1982 from the National Indian Brotherhood, […]
Read more »As we approach June, I think about Indigenous History Month and how far we have come as a Nation to provide education and awareness to not only our own people, but to other Canadians. Although there is still a lot of work to be done to implement the TRC’s Calls to Action, MMIGW Calls to […]
Read more »Hi, my name is Miruna…In the nearly 2 months I have worked at Aboriginal Legal Services as a Court worker at 10 Armoury Street, I can safely say that my world has been turned upside down. Though I have worked in different sectors of the non-profit field, this has been my first introduction to the […]
Read more »From April 3-5, 2024, ALS sent their Senior Gladue Program Managers, Amanda General (Gladue Writer Program) and Desirée Duplessis (Gladue Caseworker Program) to Vancouver, British Columbia to attend an interdisciplinary conference entitled “Justice as Trauma”, presented by Feather Walk (Jennifer Yong and Myrna McCallum, of the Trauma-Informed Lawyer Podcast).The conference invited professionals from various parts […]
Read more »