You don’t have to be a lawyer to join the first-ever signature event on behalf of the American Bar Association (ABA), co-sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November. Our esteemed panelists discuss the current status and resiliency of indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada. The panelists address the critical question of how past discriminatory – and even brutal governmental policies – led us to the current status of indigenous peoples today. More importantly, the panelists discuss what steps, laws, and policies can be taken to improve the lives of indigenous peoples in the United States. and Canada. The panelists compare and contrast the history, status, and future of the First Nations People in Canada vs. American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States. After the panel discussion, the audience will gain a high-level overview of the issues around indigenous populations, which we hope will lead to a desire to learn more.
November 18, 2020 Native American Heritage Month
Introduction to Status, Realities, Legal Framework and Future of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada
Welcome and Introduction
- Patricia Lee Refo, President, American Bar Association; Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP
Speakers
- Bradley D. Regehr, President, Canadian Bar Association; Partner, Maurice Law, Barristers & Solicitors (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation)
- Tracy Bear, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Native Studies & Director, Indigenous Women’s Resilience Project, University of Alberta (Montreal Lake First Nation)
- Kevin Gover, Acting Under Secretary for Museums and Culture; Director, Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma)
Moderator
- Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Clinical Professor of Law, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University; Co-Chair, Native American Concerns Committee, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice
Co-Sponsors: ABA Diversity and Inclusion Center, ABA Division for Public Education, ABA Tribal Courts Council, Canadian Bar Association,Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, National Congress of American Indians, National Native American Bar Association, Native American Rights Fund, Northlight Theatre
Resources
ABA Policy Related to Native American Concerns
The Path - Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada
The Canadian Bar Association is pleased to extend the CBA rate to ABA members. To register with the special rate, please email reconciliation@cba.org
Canadian Bar Association The Every Lawyer Podcast
Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course
the trauma-informed lawyer Podcast
Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Kevin Gover Apologizes for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Misdeeds
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