First Nations
Ms. Chotalia has always been committed to assisting First Nations and Metis Canadians. As a Lawyer and Bencher, Law Society of Alberta, she assisted in the First Alberta Bar Admission on a First Nation Reserve. Here is a part of her speech:
"When my friend Eileen Sasakamoose, a Hobbema, Alberta Barrister and Solicitor asked me to participate in the Bar admission ceremony of her articling student, Koren Rickie Lighting-Earle, I was struck by the importance of the event. A young female Aboriginal lawyer was to join the ranks of our noble profession. She was to become a catalyst for positive change in her community. Koren, who graduated from the University of Alberta, follows in the footsteps of her principal who has, for more than 20 years, assisted Aboriginal Albertans with their daily “bread and butter” legal struggles.Whether it is a will, a criminal case, a family law situation or a case of residential abuse, Eileen Sasakamoose has been there to assist. She has done so without request for recognition or significant compensation….
Koren follows these footsteps into a profession which strives for equality in the search for justice….
Today, Koren’s admission to the LSA realizes part of the promise of the franchise: through education, dedication and perseverance she enters the forum where she can understand and analyze the law, and counsel her community upon its
rights and obligations. In this role, she can defend the best interests of people through sage counsel and guidance. She is the “gold” of her community - her legal counsel and service will be given from the experience and perspective of an Aboriginal woman."
S. Chotalia (left) K. Lightning-Earle (centre) and E. Sasakamoose (right) (See p. 6 Advisory) for photo.
"When my friend Eileen Sasakamoose, a Hobbema, Alberta Barrister and Solicitor asked me to participate in the Bar admission ceremony of her articling student, Koren Rickie Lighting-Earle, I was struck by the importance of the event. A young female Aboriginal lawyer was to join the ranks of our noble profession. She was to become a catalyst for positive change in her community. Koren, who graduated from the University of Alberta, follows in the footsteps of her principal who has, for more than 20 years, assisted Aboriginal Albertans with their daily “bread and butter” legal struggles.Whether it is a will, a criminal case, a family law situation or a case of residential abuse, Eileen Sasakamoose has been there to assist. She has done so without request for recognition or significant compensation….
Koren follows these footsteps into a profession which strives for equality in the search for justice….
Today, Koren’s admission to the LSA realizes part of the promise of the franchise: through education, dedication and perseverance she enters the forum where she can understand and analyze the law, and counsel her community upon its
rights and obligations. In this role, she can defend the best interests of people through sage counsel and guidance. She is the “gold” of her community - her legal counsel and service will be given from the experience and perspective of an Aboriginal woman."
S. Chotalia (left) K. Lightning-Earle (centre) and E. Sasakamoose (right) (See p. 6 Advisory) for photo.
First Nations - Discrete Consultations
Ms. Chotalia, as Chairperson, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, engaged in the First discrete consultations with First Nations Communities to understand their legal needs. She was supported by Elder Gordon Williams, Peguis First Nations, and the Fred Gloade, Executive Director of the Tribunal, and the first First Nations Member to serve in that position.
DateOct. 18, 2011
Oct. 17, 2011 Sept. 21, 2011 Sept. 20, 2011 Aug. 9, 2011 Aug. 4, 2011 July 27, 2011 July 26, 2011 June 17, 2011 April 15, 2011 |
First NationNational Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Peguis First Nation, Peguis, Manitoba
National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Dene First Nation, Yellowknife, N.W.T. National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Millbrook First Nation, Truro, Nova Scotia National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, St. Mary’s First Nation, Fredericton, N.B. National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Akwesasne Mohawk, Cornwall, Ontario National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Tsuu T’ina Nation, Calgary, Alberta National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Fort MacKay, Alberta National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Samson Tribe, Edmonton, Alberta National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Shubenacadie Tribe, Nova Scotia National Stakeholder Consultation Session—Aboriginal, Musqueam Tribe, Vancouver |