Annual Report 2011/2012

  • June 28, 2012

Submitted by Drew Mildon

Summary of Activities

Number of Meetings Held: 5

October 20, 2011
Guest Speakers: David Robbins, Woodward and Company and John Gailus, Devlin Gailus 
Update on the Cohen Commission.

November 3, 2011
Guest Speakers: Treaty Commissioner Celeste Haldane, BC Treaty Commission and Glen Ricketts, Lands & Resources Branch, Strategic Initiatives Division, Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
Update on the Treaty process and BC Government initiatives with First Nations.

December 1, 2011
Guest Speaker: Aimée Craft, LLM, University of Victoria 
The Federal Court and Aboriginal Law Matters: Knowing and Using the Practice Guidelines and Rules.

Februray 20, 2012
Guest Speaker: Robert Janes
Aboriginal Law Year in Review.

March 8, 2012
Guest Speaker: Justice Harry Slade
Update on the Specific Claims Tribunal.

Reports and Resolutions

At our final meeting of the 2010-2011 year, we did pass a resolution to support the efforts of Uvic law scholars to implement a joint common-law/indigenous law degree. I am not certain if this was ever written up.

Comments and Observations of the Chair

It has been a tremendous pleasure to once again serve as a co-Chair with such a fine group of individuals. I somehow continue to be amazed at the generosity of time by peers and colleagues demonstrate in their willingness to contribute to the section. I will very much miss playing this fun and essential role, and in particular attendance at provincial council meeting.

Clearly with the advent of required CLE the role of the section has become more and more essential. Many of us depend on the CLE aspect to provide us with essential hours. We are looking forward to an already-schedules Practice Management session coming this September from the Law Society.