National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30
As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we reflect on our shared responsibility to advance reconciliation by honouring the legacy of residential school survivors, their families, and those who never returned home.
Education is an essential cornerstone of reconciliation, particularly within the legal community. To provide the profession with foundational knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, perspectives, and governance systems, the Law Society introduced The Path, a mandatory Indigenous intercultural awareness and competency training course for all practising lawyers.
2,485 Manitoba lawyers have completed The Path, and the 1,100 voluntary post-course survey respondents confirmed its meaningful impact:
- 95% increased their Indigenous cultural awareness.
- 83% noted it will directly influence their legal practice.
What We Heard: Future Learning Priorities
Through the post-course survey, members shared valuable feedback on additional intercultural awareness and competency education they would find helpful, including:
- Advanced training on Indigenous legal traditions, treaties, governance, the TRC Calls to Action, and MMIWG2S+ initiatives.
- Practical guidance on applying Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Law in specific practice areas.
- Experiential learning involving direct engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous instructors, alongside exposure to Indigenous cultural activities and events.
We appreciate the profession’s engagement with and responsiveness to The Path. This feedback will help guide the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) as it develops recommendations on where the Law Society should focus next.
The Path is intended as a starting point. It serves as a basic foundation on which our profession can build its Indigenous intercultural awareness and competency. The Law Society will continue to expand educational content by incorporating these topics into our resources, and highlighting community resources.
Upcoming Conference: Indigenizing Manitoba Courts Friday, September 25
Guided by this purpose, the Law Society is honoured to collaborate with our legal community partners to support the fourth annual Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin conference in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Exploring this year’s theme of Indigenizing Manitoba Courts, the conference will feature representation from all three levels of court in Manitoba. Register to attend this all-day conference in person at Robson Hall or virtually via webinar. Learn more
By expanding our knowledge and engaging in these conversations, we strengthen our shared commitment to reconciliation and a more inclusive legal profession.
