Truth and Reconciliation
Responding to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Fostering truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is a priority for the Federation. Our work is inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (“TRC”) of Canada’s Calls to Action, which call on governments, institutions and organizations across the country, including law societies, law schools and the justice sector broadly speaking, to build relationships with, and improve access to justice for, Indigenous peoples.
The Federation is committed to ensuring the broad goals of reconciliation are embedded in our work and that our initiatives are informed by Indigenous perspectives. We are also committed to supporting the initiatives of law societies and law schools with whom we share this work.
In December 2020, the Federation adopted a formal statement of commitment to reconciliation. This commitment reflects the advice of our Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action Advisory Committee, that was mandated to deliver recommendations to the Federation on an appropriate response to the TRC. These recommendations were approved in June 2020 along with Guiding Principles that are intended to inform all aspects of the Federation’s work.
We are also committed to building relationships of trust with national Indigenous organizations and legal experts to ensure Indigenous experiences, voices, legal traditions, and truths inform our journey.
In March 2021, the Federation and the Council of Canadian Law Deans formed a working group to share best practices and information on the reconciliation initiatives of the law schools and the law societies.