Truth & Reconciliation

The following resources are designed to educate and assist lawyers with the objectives of reconciliation from the Calls to Action.

CBABC Resources 

A Lawyer's Guide to UNDRIP

NEW! A Lawyer's Guide to UNDRIP
A primer on UNDRIP and the related legislation for busy, yet interested, lawyers to digest and incorporate into their practice.

CBABC Reconciliation Response Plan for Firms
Outlines a framework for law firm activities and initiatives to help advance reconciliation.

CBA Truth & Reconciliation Toolkit for Firms
Used as a guide to begin or extend your firm’s reconciliation journey. Each curated section includes examples, templates and important links.

On-Demand Professional Development Programs
Learn at your own pace with sessions designed to support BC’s legal community as we work toward reconciliation through education and skills-based programming.

BarTalk Indigenous Matters
Commemorating Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this October 2022 BarTalk issue opens the floor to diverse legal professionals lending their voices on Indigenous matters. Plus, every issue of BarTalk holds space for Indigenous Matters.

Conversations with the President: Bradley Regehr
Brad Regehr was the CBA’s first Indigenous President in 2020-21. In this 9-part podcast series, he highlights many of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly those related to the legal profession.

Conversations with the President: Stephen Rotstein
Economic Reconciliation with Geordie Hungerford

CBA President Stephen Rotstein and First Nations Financial Management Board CEO Geordie Hungerford discuss Economic Reconciliation. An inspiring conversation about turning things around and growing together. June 2022

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its Final Report, including 94 Calls to Action aimed at redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation. The work of the TRC now resides at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports
Reports issued or created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Digital copies can be accessed or duplicated at no charge.

Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future
An audio version of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

NCTR Archives
View an Interactive Map of residential schools and TRC events. The archives host over five million archive records, including listings of residential schools, descriptions and recordings of TRC events, and records such as maps and letters.

Educational Programs 

Indigenous Intercultural Course, Law Society of BC
All lawyers in BC are required to take this course by December 31, 2023. It provides them knowledge on history, legislation, and the issues that reconciliation seeks to address.

Indigenous Relations Academy
Powered by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., self-guided training with videos and additional resources to help individuals succeed in Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®.

Indigenous Canada from the University of Alberta
The Faculty of Native Studies offers this 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) at no cost, exploring the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.

Guides and Reports 

Guidance for Lawyers on Using Inclusive Language
This LSBC practice resource is intended to support lawyers in their use of inclusive language. Developing literacy with language that more accurately reflects Indigenous people is core to building cultures of reconciliation. See pages 5-8. March 2023.

Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples
A joint project of The Advocates’ Society, The Indigenous Bar Association and The Law Society of Ontario. September 2022.

Kitchen Table Guide for Reconciliation Dialogue
A Kitchen Table Dialogue creates space for constructive conversations on reconciliation. This do-it-yourself framework allows Indigenous peoples and all Canadians the opportunity to gather their friends, family, neighbours and/or colleagues to join the dialogue on reconciliation and contribute to the movement, helping us to create a new way forward for all people in Canada.

Expanding our Vision: Cultural Equality & Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights
by Ardith Walkem, QC, BC Human Rights Tribunal, January 2020.

Addressing Discriminatory Barriers Facing Aboriginal Law Students and Lawyers 
Law Society of BC, April 2000.

Cutural Understanding 

Witness Blanket
A visual online storyboard meant to illustrate the experience of Indigenous peoples in residential schools.

Territory Acknowledgement by Native-Land
Territory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life. This site advises which territories to acknowledge when you are speaking or presenting at an event or meeting.

Support Services 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society has a 24/7 crisis line available for all residential school survivors, family members and descendants, and traditional counsellors are available upon request. Please call 1-800-721-0066 or 1-866-925-4419.

Lawyers Assistance Program of BC offers a 24/7 support line. Please call 1-888-685-2171.

CBABC Aboriginal Lawyers Forum supports Aboriginal law students, law graduates and lawyers and the issues they face as Aboriginal people in the legal profession.