Enriching Experience at UNB Law School with Justice Harry S. LaForme
The UNB Aboriginal Law Society was proud to have Justice LaForme host three events at Ludlow. On Monday, March 22nd, 2010, Justice LaForme led two discussions at the roundtable event entitled Canadian Sovereignty on Native Soil. He presented a lecture entitled The Gladue Decision and Aboriginal Access to Justice...11 Years Later, What Has Changed? on the following day.
The roundtable event was held in Ludlow's McAllister Room to facilitate an intimate setting and encourage participation. Students and professors from both the UNB Law School and St. Thomas University Native Studies Program, as well as leaders from local First Nations communities attended the event. The first half was entitled Strengthening Relations Between Aboriginals and The Crown. Justice LaForme addressed issues of Aboriginal status, the Indian Act, the Crown's duty to consult, the Indian Residential Schools' legacy, and treaty rights while Professor Jula Hughes moderated participants' questions and comments. The discussion was fascinating, especially as the question, "Just what is the honour of the Crown?" was posed.
The second half of the roundtable event was entitled The Future of Aboriginal Title. Perspectives on the federal definition of "Indigenous Culture" for the purposes of analyzing land claims were shared as Professor Nicole O'Byrne moderated the session. The group also moved into a debate over Canada's approach to the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The roundtable certainly provided a valuable opportunity for participants to explore their ideas amongst peers in an informal and welcoming environment.
Justice LaForme began his provocative and moving presentation on Tuesday recounting the historical experiences of Canadian Aboriginals. He explained how these are linked to the overincarceration crisis of Aboriginals that the Supreme Court mentioned in its 1999 Gladue decision. He also discussed the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report and how Indigenous legal traditions approach justice and crime differently than mainstream society. LaForme addressed how s.718.2(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada is meant to provide a new approach to sentencing Aboriginal offenders and how courts across the country have, (or have not), applied this provision. This presentation took place in the large lecture hall of the UNB Law School and the attendance was great. Perhaps most importantly, Justice LaForme provided not only a professional perspective to this issue but personal insight. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal attendees found the presentation valuable and motivating.
Students, faculty, and community members had opportunities to ask Justice LaForme questions during his visit. An informal reception was held in the Student Lounge before he left Fredericton on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010. The Aboriginal Law Society is very thankful for all those who attended, as well as for the support of the Faculty and Administration in organizing these events. Stay tuned for future guest speakers at UNB Law School hosted by the Aboriginal Law Society!
