Transforming Indigenous Legal Aid Services

The paper explored legal aid’s history and current state, and a jurisdictional review of legal aid

This team member developed and held weekly Mapping Meetings from May – August 2023. These Mapping Meetings mapped the journey of a legal aid client through the current legal aid process at LABC. This individual will provide advisory and consultation support in the development of a model for legal aid services delivery.

The Bundle A 2023/24 Workplan was drafted and approved by Council in July 2023. An Engagement Strategy was drafted and presented to the Bundle A Steering Committee in August 2023.

The engagement team planned and conducted 34 in-person engagement sessions with First Nations, individuals, community legal service providers, partnering organizations, and legal professionals over the course of 8 weeks. Locations for in-person engagement were selected based on proximity to the greatest number of First Nations, Métis Charted Communities, IJCs, First Nations Court, Circuit Courts, Parent Legal Centres, and other community service providers. Other considerations were taken into account as well, such as ensuring geographic diversity, e.g. visiting the North and Southeast where there are less services, but a definite need, Statistics Canada, and LABC statistics. Communities visited include Duncan, Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Merritt, Surrey, Vancouver, Cranbrook, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Hazelton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Fort St. John, Prince George, Port Alberni, Campbell River, and Port Hardy. Four virtual engagement sessions were also conducted.

Over 800 unique pieces of feedback from the engagement sessions were analyzed and collated into an Engagement Report. The Engagement Report identifies themes and recommendations that will be used in the development of a model for legal services delivery.

The Bundle A team hosted a 3-day Legal Aid Transition Retreat at the Surrey IJC building, bringing together key representatives from the BCFNJC Council, Bundle A Steering Committee, BCFNJC senior staff, LABC senior staff, Indigenous Justice Secretariat, and the Legal Access Policy Division from the Province. Over the three days, the team engaged in information sharing about the IJCs identified successes and challenges and conducted a joint priority-setting process. The team also discussed opportunities for collaboration. The Legal Aid Transition team will develop a meeting summary, and Kelsie Kilawna, Memory Keeper and Storyteller, is preparing a witness account of the third day.

The Legal Aid Transition team is pleased to welcome Brianna Patrick, a summer student from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. She has been instrumental in developing a discussion paper on intake options for our future legal services. Brianna researched alternative models and supported outreach efforts. Her last day is August 23, 2024, and we wish her the best in her final year of law school.

The Legal Aid Transition Team has made significant strides in developing an Indigenous-led legal services model. Recently, we held a key exploratory session on July 22, 2024, focusing on child protection legal services with the Bundle D team. We explored crucial aspects like terminology, guiding principles, and wrap-around services. Additionally, we conducted two virtual engagement sessions with lawyers experienced in Indigenous child protection on August 7 and 14, 2024.

We are planning another virtual session on September 25, 2024.

Bundle A participated in q’sapi training led by kelsie kilawna and Lauren Marchand. We are committed to applying these teachings and look forward to contributing to the development of the kinship protocols with BCFNJC team members.