The Faculty of Law looks back at a year of moving towards Reconciliation
Many steps taken but more is yet to come
In honour of June 21, National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, encouraged members of the Robson Hall Community “to take time to learn, participate, and reflect in meaningful ways.”
Reaching out to professors, staff, instructors and students via email, he described the day as “a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.”
This time of year following convocation and the conclusion of the academic term also offers an opportunity to look back and examine what steps the Faculty of Law has taken along the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.
In an episode of the Robson Radio podcast, Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Servicesgives the law school a decent report card but admits there is more work to be done. Here is a glimpse of some events held at the Faculty of Law this past year, which barely scratch the surface of changes being made to move legal education in Manitoba towards Reconciliation.
Second Annual Conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin: Engaging in Economic Reconciliation
Law student Cody-Wyoming Clark introduces Dennis Meeches at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin
The second annual conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin was held in the Moot Courtroom at Robson Hall on September 20, 2024 and also served as the Faculty of Law’s annual Homecoming event. As such it served to focus alumni attention on this important topic of Reconciliation, reaching a significant audience throughout the legal profession in Manitoba.
The conference theme was “Engaging in Economic Reconciliation”, and brought together academics, members of the legal community, Indigenous community leaders and business partners. Panelists discussed several major projects currently ongoing in Manitoba with academics filling in theory and history behind the overall need for Economic Reconciliation. The keynote speaker was Angie Bruce, VP Indigenous at the University of Manitoba, and co-hosts along with the Faculty of Law included the Manitoba Bar Association, the Law Society of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Law Foundation.
Panelists and guest speakers included Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) Grand Chief Jerry Daniels; Ryan Bear, Senior Business Analyst at SCO; Dennis Meeches, former Chief of Long Plain First Nation and current President of Business Relations, Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba; Maeengan Linklater, Director of Operations, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council; Richard Tuck, CEO of Wakopa Financial Workers Co-op; Noah Wilson, a member of the Indigenous Young Entrepreneurs team at Futurepreneur; Yvan Guy Larocque, Indigenous business lawyer specializing in Indigenous Economic Development and Governance; and Derek Nepinak, Chief of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation) and a former grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
The conference was facilitated by Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services at the Faculty of Law, with assistance from staff member Jenna Chemerika, law students Cody-Wyoming Clark, and Janell Jackson, along with participation from SCO Youth Chiefs Tréchelle Bunn and Joshua Gardiner.
Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Lunch and Learn
Kiersten Sanderson, MILSA VP Professional Development helped organize the law student group’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event.
The Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association (MILSA) received funding from the Province of Manitoba from the Orange Shirt Day Fund to support the organization of an event to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 27, 2024, MILSA hosted a lunch followed by educational discussion panel examining the importance of Truth and Reconciliation and the further need to educate about the harms of Residential Schools. Guest speakers included Wendy Whitecloud, retired Faculty of Law Instructor, former Director of Academic Support, former Commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission and member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation; Tréchelle Bunn, law student and organizer of an annual Reconciliation Run in her home community of the Birdtail Sioux First Nation (and now its Chief); Jerilee Ryle, Crown Attorney at Manitoba Prosecution Service at the time, now a Judge in the Provincial Court of Manitoba and member of the Lake St. Martin First Nation; and Bradley Regehr, Partner of Maurice Law and member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
Symposium to Decolonize the Academy & Shape Legal Education in the Spirit of Reconciliation
January 30 and 31 saw Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services, travel to Toronto to lead discussions on the future of Indigenous Legal Education. Representing the UM Faculty of Law, Kruse worked to co-organize this two-day symposium to review progress of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action number 28, to require that all law schools teach their students about Indigenous peoples and the law. Attendees included representatives from Canadian law federations, law Deans, and law societies.
The first day of the symposium focussed on the Indigenization and Decolonization of the Legal Academy, with the second day looking at “Collaborative Futures: Walking Together to Shape Legal Education in the Spirit of Reconciliation.” The symposium brought together key individuals in legal educational roles who have major influence and impact on the development of legal education curricula in Canada. The gathering offered major opportunities for these individuals to network and have concrete discussions on further evolving legal education in Canada towards Reconciliation. A final report arising out of the symposium’s discussions and workshop outcomes is forthcoming.
Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association Louis Riel Day Celebration
Members of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association with guest speakers Andrew Carrier, Sean Oliver, and Will Goodon. The Honourable Minister Renée Cable attended via Zoom.
On February 13, MILSA hosted Louis Riel Day celebrations at Robson Hall, sharing traditional food, music, dancing, and a discussion panel with Métis leaders about their experiences growing up Métis and living with that heritage.
Champion Métis fiddler Jason Lepine performed while guests filled the Common Room to share a feast from Bistro on Notre Dame. A Bannock Bake Off showcased law students’ baking talents, and champion Métis Jiggers Jordan Flett and Sarah Shuttleworth (2L) performed.
A Métis Leaders panel in the Moot Courtroom consisted of Andrew Carrier, Manitoba Métis Federation Minister; Renée Cable, Manitoba Member of Legislative Assembly for Southdale and Minister of Advanced Education and Training; Will Goodon, MMF Minister, and Sean Oliver, Métis Educator. All answered questions from law students about being Métis, and experiencing Métis culture and heritage in Manitoba. Each speaker had compelling and moving stories to tell which served to educate and enlighten audience members in meaningful ways.
Concluding Message from the Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services
Marc Kruse, Director of Legal Learning and Services, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba.
As we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, we reflect not only on the rich cultures and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, but also on the responsibility we carry as legal educators and future lawyers to respond to the Calls to Action with clarity, humility, and purpose.
This past year at Robson Hall has been filled with moments of deep learning and growth. From national symposia to student-led events, we have continued to open space for Indigenous voices, experiences, and legal orders within our academic community. We have celebrated, questioned, listened, and taken steps toward reshaping legal education in a way that honours the spirit of Reconciliation. These steps are just the beginning. True reconciliation demands not only inclusion but transformation. It calls us to move beyond acknowledgment into action, to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are not only present but are shaping the future of law in Manitoba and Canada.
To our students, staff, faculty, and partners: thank you for walking this path with courage and curiosity. Let’s keep going—with commitment, with integrity, and with the understanding that reconciliation is a living process, not a finished destination.
Tansi. Miigwetch. Thank you.
— Marc Kruse
Director, Indigenous Legal Learning and Services
Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba