A Guide to National Indigenous History Month 

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is a time to celebrate and recognize our unique and diverse cultures within the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. The events and educational opportunities taking place this month can also help us reflect on how we can continue to work towards reconciliation.

Below are a few ways to participate:

• Attend events like a powwow or other ceremonies hosted by Indigenous communities that are open to the public. Read the powwow visitor’s guide in advance of attending.
• Read books by Indigenous authors, watch Indigenous-made films and documentaries about Indigenous history and culture, or support Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations.
• Learn on your own or with friends and family. The ALIGN Association of Community Services website provides 20 learning opportunities for all ages, including an interactive map to see which traditional territory you’re on, an Elder-approved Bannock recipe and cultural teaching videos.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta has an extensive guide on how you can further engage during Indigenous History Month.

View more resources and events.

New Article: Indigenous History and the Law

Jessica Buffalo, Indigenous Initiatives Counsel, shares insights on Indigenous legal history, identity and reconciliation.

"When I think of Indigenous History Month, all I can think about is my father, who recently made his journey to the spirit world. He was an Elder in our community and full of so much knowledge and history of our people. He was even given a traditional name when he was 5 that translates to “the old man” because of the wisdom he was already showing at such a young age. 

When he passed, I felt like a library had burned down. As I move on in my grief, I am comforted by the fact that I carry some of his stories and teachings with me and know I can pass our histories on to my son."

Read more.

Celebrating Pride Month in Alberta

While Edmonton and Calgary host their own Pride celebrations in August and September, June officially marks Pride Month in Canada. During this time, we recognize and honour the rich diversity and spirit of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities throughout our country, and are reminded of our commitment to the ongoing fight for equality.

Here are a few events and resources available in celebration of Pride Month:

• The Alberta Government has created a list of Pride Month activities according to city/town that everyone is welcome to attend.
• In addition to Pride celebrations, members of the legal community can join the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community (SOGIC) Section of the Canadian Bar Association.
• Lawyers can also register to attend the second annual PRISME Conference, held in Montreal in August. PRISME is a forum to discuss current issues facing 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals in the legal profession and the advancement of 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights, both in Canada and around the world.
• For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website to access the Pride Season toolkit and learn more about the work of the 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat. 

Disbursing the Undisbursable: What to Do with Unclaimed Trust Funds

Law firms occasionally hold trust funds for extended periods of time when they cannot locate the clients or other parties to whom the funds belong. A firm must maintain proper oversight, accounting, tracking and management of matters on which the firm is retaining inactive or undisbursable trust funds. It is the responsibility of the Responsible Lawyer — not the bookkeeper, paralegal, office manager or accountant — to safeguard client funds.

In certain circumstances, the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta allow firms to pay such undisbursable funds to the Law Society. Before paying the funds to the Law Society, the firm must have held the trust funds for more than two years and be unable to locate the funds’ owners despite reasonable efforts to do so (Rule 119.43 and section 117(5) of the Legal Profession Act).

Firms must submit a form to the Trust Safety department to obtain approval to remit funds to the Law Society. When a firm submits an undisbursable trust fund request to the Law Society, the Law Society reviews the steps taken by the firm to locate and contact the funds’ owners. The Law Society may request further information about the firm’s efforts in this regard.

Where the Law Society determines that the information in the request is insufficient, or the law firm has not made reasonable efforts to locate the owners and distribute the funds to them, the Law Society will reject the request. If the information in the request is sufficient, the Law Society will approve the request and provide further details on how to submit electronic payment.

For more information on what to do with unclaimed trust funds, visit our website or contact the Trust Safety department.

A Seat at the Table Initiative – Call for Applications 

The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP) is encouraging Canadian corporations to appoint people with disabilities to their boardrooms through its A Seat at the Table initiative.

Qualified people with disabilities who are interested in joining a corporate board are invited to apply. 

For more information, visit the CFPDP website. 

Alberta Court of Justice Announcement

Court Schedules in Wildfire-Affected Communities – June 1 (Fort Chipewyan)

A regularly scheduled sitting that was to take place on Thursday, June 1 in Fort Chipewyan, has been relocated to Fort McMurray in courtroom 202.

As the wildfire situation continues to evolve, counsel and parties are encouraged to continue to monitor the Alberta Court of Justice website for further changes.

STAY CONNECTED