The Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (ALF) is splitting from the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch (CBABC) in an amicable transition to form a new association representing Indigenous lawyers and Indigenous-related legal matters.
The forum was established 15 years ago to support Indigenous lawyers and law students through the association, which represents lawyers’ interests across the legal services industry.
The association said in a news release the forum was integral in “fostering community and contributing meaningfully to the legal profession across British Columbia.”
The association said it is working collaboratively to ensure a well-coordinated transition for the new Indigenous association.
“CBABC has been instrumental in delivering ALF’s programming, including the holiday banquet, the annual retreat for Indigenous lawyers, the National Indigenous Peoples Day Auction and our Warrior Project, which raises funds to support Indigenous law and articling students in B.C. We look forward to building on that strong foundation,” said ALF chair Martin W. Buehler, a civil litigation lawyer based in Ladysmith.
“Over the years, ALF has provided influential perspectives to our board and committees, helping shape on our advocacy positions, governance and Reconciliation Action Plan. Indigenous members of CBABC will continue to have opportunities for leadership and influence within our association,” said CBABC president Patricia Blair.
The news release did not provide any particular reason for the manoeuvre. Buehler was unavailable for comment Tuesday to provide further details.
The forum monitors and makes recommendations regarding the implementation of the association’s Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan.
It also “monitors and liaises with the Law Society of B.C.’s initiatives with respect to professional development, inclusion of Indigenous lawyers, and any other LSBC initiatives.”
Buehler chalked up a resolution to amend language in mandatory Indigenous training to lawyers last year as “micro-editing” while fuelling unmarked residential school graves as a hoax.
The CBABC branch in a letter to members noted there are “volumes of testimony” about unmarked graves and missing children contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report.
The Canadian Bar Association is a professional organization representing 40,000 lawyers, judges and law students across Canada, including more than 8,000 members in B.C.
