Queen’s Law was eager to take part in Aboriginal Awareness Week, an on-campus celebration of indigenous histories and cultures, organized by the Queen’s Native Students’ Association. The group got people of all backgrounds involved in the festivities from March 16–21 to show the importance of understanding that issues facing indigenous peoples are the responsibilities of all Canadians.

In addition to Law’s screening of “Trick or Treaty” (see the trailer on Facebook), there were special events for prospective JD students with aboriginal ancestry on the closing weekend. Undergraduate students from across Ontario and mature applicants who are already in the workforce attended an information fair and panel at the Tett Centre, where they learned all about applying for admission and grants to attend professional and graduate programs – all while in the jubilant atmosphere of traditional indigenous singing, dancing, crafts and foods. Then the Faculty hosted a workshop in Macdonald Hall for prospects to talk about life at the law school and opportunities to relate one’s legal studies to his or her aboriginal heritage.

Representing Queen’s Law were David Sharpe, Law '95, Chair of the First Nations University of Canada, and COO and CCO of Bridging Finance Inc., and Alumni Ambassador for Aboriginal Student Recruitment; Hugo Choquette, Law'05, LLM'10, PhD candidate, Aboriginal Law instructor and Kawaskimhom Moot coach; Jane Emrich, Law'77, Assistant Dean of Students; Aimee Burtch, Recruitment and Admission Manager; and Ashley Pitcher, Law'17, Student Ambassador.

“The event was really rewarding!” exclaims Pitcher, who gave the student perspective on what life is like at Queen’s Law and the resources available to aboriginal students. “Some expressed how much it helped them by breaking down things to do in preparing for law school or in helping them to decide where they want to go. One student even said he felt less intimidated by the process after our talk and that was really great to hear.

“Choosing a law school is a big decision to make and I struggled with it myself,” she adds. “I wanted to give back by sharing my decision process and experience with potential students – and I honestly believe that choosing Queen’s Law was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!”

Mark your calendars! Queen’s Law has scheduled one more event on March 31 from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. Ovide Mercredi, President of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation (Grand Rapids), and a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, will be guest lecturing in Choquette’s class.