Over several days, Jessie Canard (3L), Tina Lerner (3L) and Donald Plant (2L) had the privilege of connecting with the arts community from across rural and Northern Manitoba. From powerful performances to thought-provoking panels, the Showcase was a vibrant celebration of the province’s creative spirit.

Manitoba Arts Network

Desiree Dorian [LLB/08], a Dauphin lawyer, Robson Hall alum and accomplished live music performing / recording artist, performed at the 2025 Showcase.

The Manitoba Arts Network connects, showcases, and promotes visual and performing artists with rural and Northern Manitoba communities. The Network is dedicated to connecting Manitoba’s communities to the arts, and its main purpose is to increase access to the arts. They accomplish this by supporting artists and organizations with professional development, mentorship and touring opportunities. Lastly, they organize events like the Manitoba Showcase, which centres collaboration for arts groups.

There were many highlights of the 2025 Manitoba Showcase including:

• Clinic students delivered a packed presentation on Empowering Artists: Legal Advice on Contracts, Intellectual Property, and Rights, sparking great conversations and questions.
• The Clinic also joined a dynamic Funders Forum alongside representatives from Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, The Winnipeg Foundation and Creative Manitoba.
• Law students attended sessions, met attendees, learned about their experiences, stories and gained a better understanding of the diversity that exists in the arts community. Importantly, this includes reconciliation efforts and inclusion.  

Jessie Canard (3L), Tina Lerner (3L), Donald Plant (2L)

Law Student Reflections

For Jessie Canard (3L), who is both a practicing Anishinaabe visual artist from the Sagkeeng First Nation and also a law student, the event was a special opportunity to bring both her interests in art and law together. Canard says, “The Manitoba  Arts Network Showcase event was important and also so much fun. Not only were the workshops engaging (I was able to make birch bark and fish scale earrings), and the performances were mind-blowing, but we were able to support these caring individuals by sharing legal information that can support their careers. We presented to emerging artists to share information on how their legal rights work in terms of contracts and intellectual property. We also met with individuals one-on-one to hear their legal questions and inform them how the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts can support them.”

Jessie Canard (3L), Claire Marchand (Canada Council for the Arts)

Reflecting on her experience, Tina Lerner (3L) said “I was excited to learn and understand the creative sector better directly from artists and arts groups. Further, the opportunity to be involved in the work of the Clinic was particularly meaningful.  I thrive in practical learning experiences, and the Manitoba Law Clinic for the Arts provides rich learning opportunities.. I am grateful for the Clinic for providing practical learning and offering services to the creative sector, which is vitally important. This is very meaningful to me.”

Cassidy Mann (Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Manitoba Music), and Donald Plant (2L)

Donald Plant (3L), who is also a musician as well as a law student, commented, “Attending the Manitoba Arts Network’s Showcase 2025 was a fantastic experience, allowing us as students to connect with artists from across Manitoba. During our presentation and throughout the weekend, attendees had many questions regarding their needs for legal information about contracts and their intellectual property rights. It was rewarding to discuss with artists some of the projects they are working on and how the Clinic may be able to support and provide assistance.”

Future Collaborations

The Clinic has already been invited back by the Manitoba Arts Network and is looking forward to the 2026 Manitoba Arts Showcase in Brandon next September.

Until then, law students and the Clinic will continue learning by doing, connecting with artists, creatives and organizations that support the creative economy, as well as collaborating and championing the legal needs of artists and creatives across the province.

Emily Trottier [BA/23], and Rachael Buchwald [BHSt/23], both JD Candidates 2027 at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, spent the summer providing free legal support to artists and arts organizations across Manitoba. Their experience shows the arts’ vital role in Canada’s identity and the need for sustained support.

They endorsed the Coalition’s call for the federal government to permanently allocate at least 1% of total federal spending to arts, culture, and heritage, beginning with a $330 million increase for the 2025–26 fiscal year. This includes $140 million for the Canada Council for the Arts and $190 million for the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Emily Trottier [BA/23], 2L.

“The arts define who we are as Canadians,” said Trottier. “We had the honour of helping people behind that work, many of whom face legal barriers they cannot navigate alone. Supporting this proposal means standing with them.”

At the Clinic, students assist clients with legal issues such as intellectual property, contracts, and tailored legal content. In the creative sector, where artists often act as their own business managers, producers, and agents, accessible legal help is critical.

This summer, seven law students worked at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic to meet rising demands for services, assisting a range of clients. Many clients are women and Indigenous creators, earning income from their art that is at or below the poverty line. Through this work, students are gaining hands-on legal experience and an appreciation for public interest law.

Rachael Buchwald [BHst/23], 2L.

“Public interest advocacy belongs in law schools,” added Buchwald. “We believe more law schools across Canada should combine legal education with real community impact. Being part of something that uplifts others makes studying law more meaningful.”

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, based at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, is a proud member of the Canadian Arts Coalition, and is currently the only pro bono legal clinic in Canada operated by law students that is part of the Coalition.

The Coalition is a non-partisan, volunteer-led movement advocating for strong public investment in Canada’s arts and culture sector. Its guiding principles: equity and diversity, sector-wide consensus, partnerships, non-partisanship, and constructive advocacy, align with the Clinic’s values.

Both Trottier and Buchwald attended Coalition meetings on behalf of the Clinic, learning about the sector’s needs, public policy, and collaboration.

“We felt it was important not only to support artists through direct legal services but also to support long-term policy change,” said Trottier.

Buchwald, with a background in the performing arts and experience with local non-profits, added, “Art is how culture endures and evolves. This funding recommendation is about more than financial support; it reflects our values, the kind of society we strive to build, and the communities we choose to uplift.”

The arts play a critical role in economic development, community resilience, and national unity. At a time when Canada faces complex challenges, investing in culture is essential.

The submission reminds us that law students can and should engage in public discourse. Their advocacy reflects a growing awareness that the law is not just a set of rules; it’s a tool to build a more inclusive future.

Learn more about the Canadian Arts Coalition and its 2025 pre-budget submission.

Learn more about the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts.

Law Students as Legal Educators

The in-person session was led by Donald Plant (2L) and Lee Margolis (2L). The presentation covered the clinic’s services, information regarding different business structures available to Manitoba entrepreneurs, an introduction to contracts, information about working as an independent contractor, and more.

The session was followed by MOSMA students having the opportunity to ask questions about the information discussed, as well as how to get in touch with the clinic, should they require legal assistance following their graduation at the end of June.

Lee Margolis (2L), BComm (Hons)

We had a really engaged audience were eager to learn and actively participated throughout.” says Margolis. “It was great to apply the knowledge we’ve gained over the school year and summer at the clinic, and to provide people with information they can hopefully use as they begin their careers. – Lee Margolis (2L), BComm (Hons)

 

Donald Plant (2L), BA

As a musician myself, I know how important it is to be aware of the legal landscape for people in the industry,” says Plant. “With this presentation, we wanted to provide a brief introduction to some of these concepts and explain what we do here at the clinic, to show these students that there are places to go to for help. – Donald Plant (2L), BA

Navigating our industry as freelance sound technicians and sound editors can be intimidating to our students. It’s not so much about having the confidence to tackle the technical aspects of the work. It’s the less known aspects of managing themselves as a business. The resources offered at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts are extremely helpful for our alumni as they launch their careers. – Carlos Vela (Director, MOSMA)

Practical training at MOSMA

Currently in their 30^th year, the Mid-Ocean School of Media Arts (MOSMA) provides their students with the opportunity to pursue a formal education in the flourishing audio industry. MOSMA’s full time students participate in a year-long program spanning from early September to late June. Graduates ae awarded with an audio in media diploma. The program is designed to provide students the skills, experience, and connections to flourish upon graduating and be able to have success in the audio industry. In addition to their full-time curriculum, MOMSA offers numerous short courses in Studio Recording, Editing & Mixing Techniques and Digital Audio Workstations such as Pro Tools. These short courses are designed to allow students to enhance their skills or explore audio production. These hand-on courses provide an engaging and practical learning experience.

Standing behind MOSMA class, left to right: Donald Plant (2L) and Lee Margolis (2L)

Learn more about MOSMA, including how they help aspiring professionals, musicians and beginners turn their creativity into careers in sound.

Learning by Doing at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts

Through the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, law students gain practical legal experience by helping Manitoban artists and arts organizations with their need for legal information and assistance. Beyond individual client casework, the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts also engages in public education initiatives, such as the MOSMA presentation, to support artists with the legal side of their respective industries by providing them with information that may be of use to them in their careers.

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts looks forward to further collaborations with MOSMA and other organizations interested in legal education as well as free legal information and  assistance in the arts and creative sector in Manitoba.

The Clinical Experience Committee extended congratulations to Linnea Kosokowsky (1L) and Meagan Gillis (1L), winners of the 2025 Robson Hall Mini Moot. They demonstrated outstanding preparation, poise, and persuasive advocacy throughout the competition. The Committee also congratulated runners-up William Ho and Eric Wagner, who showcased excellent legal reasoning and advocacy skills. 

The Committee and students sent a heartfelt thank you to Fillmore Riley LLP for sponsoring the event and for providing the Fillmore Riley Flawless Reasoning Prizes. Thanks also to MLT Aikins, Taylor McCaffrey, Pitblado Law, Myers LLP, and Thompson Dorfman Sweatman for also sponsoring the competition, and to all the judges and students who participated.

“Wolseley Law is really happy to have the opportunity to inaugurate this award,” said Gerrit Theule [JD/15], founding partner at Wolseley Law, LLP. “Clinical student participation embodies everything that I think that a modern lawyer should strive for, including furthering access to justice, taking steps towards advancing Reconciliation on behalf of the profession, and striving to continually learn ways to help members of the community.”

Reflecting on his own experience as a student at Robson Hall, he added, “I wouldn’t be the lawyer that I am today – heck Wolseley Law wouldn’t even exist – without my experience at Legal Help Centre’s clinic. These clinical opportunities offered by Robson Hall aren’t only excellent learning opportunities, they’re also critical to serving immediate access to justice needs in the province, and to forming a better legal profession in the long run.”

McCandless said, “Mary-Charlet’s exceptional advocacy, leadership, and dedication to clients through UMCLC embody the spirit and purpose of this award. Her willingness to go above and beyond – not only for her clients but also in supporting her peers – demonstrates a deep commitment to clinical excellence.”

The Director’s office also recognized the high calibre of candidates who were nominated for this award, each of whom demonstrated skill and commitment to their respective clinics. “It is wonderful to see how law students are making an impact in the community while gaining valuable practical skills,” said McCandless.

Lathlin completed an externship with the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre (UMCLC), which is run in collaboration with Legal Aid Manitoba. She received nominations for the award from both UMCLC Director, Allison Fenske, and classmate Cody Buhay.

The Faculty of Law currently offers a rich array of experiential learning opportunities to law students in all three years of study including:

• Judge Shadowing (mandatory for 1Ls)
• Introduction to Advocacy (mandatory for 2Ls)
• Negotiations
• Moot Court competitions
• Department of Justice externship
• Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
• Law Library Hub – Civil Clinic
• Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund externship
• Legal Help Centre externship
• Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic
• Manitoba Law Reform Commission externship
• Public Interest Law Centre externship
• Rights Clinic at Robson Hall
• University of Manitoba Community Law Centre
• Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts

Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.

–  John Dewey.

On March 11, 2025, students from the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law visited students at Balmoral Hall School to share information on business law fundamentals and paths to becoming a lawyer in Manitoba.  

Third-year law students Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020], Skylar Ferbers (3L), [BComm(Hons)/2022], Moira Kennedy (3L), and Emily Palmer (3L) [BA)/2019] gave a presentation on various areas of business law, including information on business structures, contracts, intellectual property, taxes, and employment.

At the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, law students provide free legal information and legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford a lawyer or face barriers to accessing legal support in Manitoba.

The audience consisted of students from a grade nine entrepreneurship class and a grade ten law class. Through its entrepreneurship class, Balmoral Hall School has created the Balmoral Hall Maker Market, where young entrepreneurs create products to sell through its physical storefront as well as its online Shopify store. The shop has showcased several items such as jewelry, accessories, candles, and other forms of artwork.

Skylar Ferbers (3L) [BComm(Hons)/2022]

Ferbers expressed the importance of educating young people through the Clinic. “It was inspiring to present to such a driven group of future leaders. I was particularly impressed by how many students were already running their own businesses,” she said. “For entrepreneurs, knowledge truly is power, no matter their age. I hope the students walked away feeling empowered to keep creating and pursuing their goals.”

During the presentation, the Clinic students shared their individual journeys to law school, highlighting the fact that not every path is the same. Taverner shared the importance of connecting with future legal minds.

Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020]

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to give this presentation. Above the practical legal information we shared, I hope the students go forward in their studies and lives with confidence knowing that there is not one path to law school.”

The presentation took place just days after the annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s theme for IWD is “Strength in Every Story,” which stresses the importance in celebrating voices of all women and finding opportunities to unlock potential and facilitate innovation.

Moira Kennedy (3L)

For Kennedy, this visit to Balmoral Hall School was a full circle moment. “Having attended Balmoral Hall in elementary school, it was both wonderful and timely for me to return and provide information about law school and entrepreneurship with students, especially as I look forward to my graduation in the coming months,” she said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to speak with these inspiring young women in celebration of International Women’s Day.”

The Business Law Clinic has visited Balmoral Hall School on an annual basis and intends to continue this tradition in the future.

Kirstan Osborne [MEd)/2018], a teacher at Balmoral Hall School, expressed student interest in the Business Law Clinic presentation. “The business law event was a great experience that sparked students’ curiosity, particularly around emerging issues like copyright and AI, as well as social media and privacy,” said Osborne. “It also provided a platform for students to reflect on their own experiences in part-time jobs, fostering a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.”

For more information on about the Balmoral Hall Maker Market that showcases the incredible talents of student entrepreneurs, the power of community, support and recognition, check out their website here.

As I work through my last year at Robson Hall, I find myself reflecting on my time as a law student and the numerous opportunities that I have had the privilege of participating in. While I am grateful for every opportunity law school has presented to me, the most memorable and impactful experience that I had as a law student was participating in the Externship Program at the Legal Help Centre (LHC).

An information session for law students on Externships and Moots is being held by the Director of Clinics on Tuesday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m. in the Harry Walsh, O.C., Q.C. Moot Courtroom. Deadline to sign up for Moot Tryouts for the 2025 – 2026 season is March 20.

Generative AI in Teaching and Learning

Date and time: Wednesday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

This workshop focuses on ethical and responsible instructional uses of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) to support student learning in higher education. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how genAI works and explore its capabilities, limitations, and ethical issues. The core of the workshop will involve discussion about basic learning theories supported by the cognitive sciences and how genAI can enhance and hinder the learning process. Through individual and group reflections, discussions, and activities, participants will critically assess how to use genAI ethically and responsibly in ways that support student learning.

Register for the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning workshop

Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium Series: Session 3

Date and time: Thursday, March 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The 2024/25 Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium Series shares the important work of University of Manitoba scholars and educators, whose research sheds light on student support needs, barriers to support seeking, and strategies for supporting students’ learning. Over a series of three research talks, faculty, instructors, and support staff will learn from and with each other about supporting diverse learners. Each talk will be followed by a discussion period and refreshments.

Session 3:

Barriers to Support: Metastereotypes and Help-seeking Among International Students

International students face unique challenges adapting to living and studying abroad, which may influence various aspects of their postsecondary studies. The resources and support services offered by university staff, instructors, and classmates are, therefore, essential for academic success and an overall positive university experience for many international students. Dr. Matthew Quesnel’s work examines how international students’ metastereotypes of how they are viewed by Canadian faculty, staff, and students on their campus, predict whether they seek out peer support and support services offered by their postsecondary institutions. In this session, Matthew will share his research findings on international students’ metastereotypes and its relationship to their help-seeking on campus and explore how this can inform strategies for fostering a more inclusive campus environment, promoting international students’ help-seeking and academic success and well-being on campus.

Register for the Teaching and Learning Research Colloquium, Session 3

Pedagogies of Care: Science of Learning – Firing and Wiring the Neurons

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.

Join us for a series of four monthly 50-minute sessions designed for graduate students, instructors, and professors committed to exploring pedagogies of care. These sessions offer strategies that foster care, inclusion, and broaden perspectives in higher education, including insights into how brain science can enhance teaching effectiveness. Each session will provide practical tools for creating inclusive, engaging, and empowering learning environments, drawing on research into neural connections, brain plasticity, and how these processes affect learning, memory retention, and student engagement. Whether you’re teaching in-person or in an online format, this series will equip you with neuroscience-based strategies and pedagogical approaches that cultivate caring and inclusive educational spaces.

During the Science of Learning – Firing and Wiring the Neurons session:

• Participants will discuss the basic principles of how brain processes, such as neural connections and plasticity, influence learning and memory retention.
• Participants will explore brain-based strategies to their teaching methods, fostering environments that enhance cognitive engagement and student learning.

Register for the Pedagogies for Care workshop

Knowledge Transfer: Transitioning from Classroom Learning to Clinical Application

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Specifically relevant for Clinical Educators: Effective knowledge transfer from the classroom to the clinical setting is an ongoing goal of didactic teaching.  Effective knowledge transfer ensures that students perform well not only in their academic journey, but also after graduation when they enter their respective fields. If you would like to learn best practices for enhancing the process of transferring knowledge, this workshop will provide strategies to promote this important aspect of learning.

Register for the Knowledge Transfer workshop

Manitoba Academic Integrity Network (MAIN) Speaker Series

Date and time: Thursday, March 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.

The Centre is excited to host the 2024-2025 Manitoba Academic Integrity Network (MAIN) Speaker Series, a collection of six professional development opportunities related to academic integrity. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to individuals who register and attend all six sessions in this series. Visit the Manitoba Academic Integrity Network Speaker Series website for more details.

Session 6: Transforming Assessment Practices in Higher Education with the AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) 

As the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies have become increasingly ubiquitous in higher education, and institutions must equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for an AI-driven future. Although some institutions have attempted to ban the use of these tools and enforce this through an AI text detection strategy, this session proposes an alternative solution to this challenge. The AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) developed by Perkins et al. (2024), offers a flexible framework for incorporating GenAI into educational assessments while promoting academic integrity and ethical use of these technologies. It consists of five allowable levels of AI use in submitted assessments, ranging from ‘No AI’ to ‘AI Exploration’, enabling educators to design assessments that focus on areas requiring human input and critical thinking. This intervention will explore the challenges of attempting to use a detection-based approach to dealing with GenAI use in assessments, introduce the AIAS as a possible alternative, and discuss the findings of a pilot study of the AIAS at British University Vietnam which has demonstrated significant benefits in reducing misconduct and supporting student engagement and attainment. 

Register for the MAIN Speaker Series, Session 6

Small Shifts, Significant Gains: March Session

Date and time: Monday, March 17, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Looking for ways to revitalize your teaching but don’t have time for a big redesign? In Small Teaching, author James Lang argues that small changes in classroom techniques and activities can have big impacts on student learning. Join our sessions to hear practical teaching strategies from faculty guest speakers. Bring your questions and your lunch.  Leave with ideas that you can implement right away in your courses! 

Lightning Presentation Speakers:

• C. Lee Anne Deegan from the Faculty of Social Work presents: Centering Collaboration: Applying Relational Values to Reimagine Group Work
• Cheryl Glazebrook from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Register for Small Shifts, Significant Gains: March Session

Experiential Learning Community of Practice Monthly Meeting: Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning

Date and time: Wednesday, March 19, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Experiential Learning Community of Practice is a growing network of UM faculty, instructors, and staff passionate about experiential education.

Monthly meetings:
Join our monthly meetings to build relationships with other Community of Practice members, explore best practices and innovations, and participate in engaging conversations.

Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning:
This month, we’ll explore how AI can enhance experiential learning, showcasing the innovative ways instructors are integrating AI into their teaching. Join us for a dynamic, facilitated discussion that will dive into the benefits and challenges of AI in experiential learning and celebrate the impactful work happening in this field.

Register for Leveraging AI to Enhance Experiential Learning

Incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings into Classroom Teaching Strategies and Giving Feedback

Date and time: Thursday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

This workshop will focus on an introduction to the Seven Sacred Teachings and how to incorporate them in day-to-day teaching strategies.  This workshop will also focus on how to deliver strength-based feedback. We will also put strategies into practice with scenarios.

Register for the Incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings workshop

Universal Design for Learning in Practice: Recognize Expectations, Beliefs, and Motivations

Date and time: Thursday, March 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join us for the last Thursday of each month in an ongoing series, where participants will review discreet elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will work together to develop pedagogical practices that align with the UDL principle being discussed that month.

Topic: This session will focus on CAST’s UDL principle of recognizing expectations, beliefs, and motivations and how it can be directly applied to pedagogical practice. There will be a brief presentation of the core elements of this principle followed by a question-and-answer session where participants can collaborate with the facilitator to develop their practice. 

Register for Recognize Expectations, Beliefs, and Motivations

The International Human Rights Clinic at the UM Faculty of Law opened this fall.

Fenske shared that through a combination of clinical projects and academic learning, “students are immersed in human rights work. By engaging with mechanisms that protect and promote human rights at the international, regional, and domestic levels, students gain hands-on experience while also developing practical skills in strategic advocacy, focusing on some of today’s most pressing human rights challenges.”

For the 2024-2025 academic year, students in the IHRC can participate in one of four initial projects that align with the IHRC mission to advance human rights through collaborative research, experiential learning, advocacy and litigation.

Second-year law student Tréchelle Bunn is working on an IHRC project in partnership with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO). The project focuses on advocating for the rights and interests of the 33 First Nations in southern Manitoba that SCO represents.

A key part of Bunn’s project with SCO through the IHRC involved preparing for and participating in the United Nations Second intersessional meeting of the Human Rights Council on concrete ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Council. The Second Intersessional Meeting was held from October 17 to 18 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Left to right: Chief Kurvis Anderson (Pinaymootang First Nation), Tréchelle Bunn (2L), Peter MacDougall (Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva), Grand Chief Jerry Daniels [BA (Economics)/08] (Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc.), and Chief Wayne Desjarlais (Ebb and Flow First Nation).

During the meeting, Bunn delivered four key interventions before the Human Rights Council on behalf of SCO, offering specific recommendations on how the Council can enhance Indigenous Peoples’ participation in its work. In one intervention, Bunn emphasized the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in the work of the Human Rights Council and all UN mechanisms, stating, “There should be no forum where UN bodies and entities are discussing the rights of Indigenous Peoples without the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples.”

In addition to advocating at the Second Intersessional Meeting, Bunn attended the 89^th Session of the United Nation’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Bunn also had the opportunity to attend a reception at the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, where she connected with Canada’s CEDAW Delegation and Peter MacDougall, the new Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN Office at Geneva.

Reflecting on her experience, Bunn shared, “It was inspiring to be among Indigenous leaders from around the globe, and I look forward to continuing my journey as a human rights advocate. I am so grateful to SCO and for the opportunity to be part of the IHRC, where I can combine my passion for advocating for my community and all Indigenous Peoples with the chance to build a solid foundation in human rights law through the seminar portion of the course.”

Through experiences like Bunn’s, the IHRC is building meaningful partnerships with community organizations and showcasing its commitment to providing law students with the education and hands-on experience essential for a future in human rights law and advocacy.

Law students Mathew O’Connor (3L), Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020], and Emily Palmer (3L) [BA/2019, MJ/2022], engaged with attendees to share information about services offered by the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts. The Clinic, which began operations in October 2023, is the only legal clinic in Manitoba that provides free legal services tailored to artists and arts organizations who cannot afford traditional legal assistance.

During the Manitoba Showcase conference, Mathew and Kassandra led an artist professional development presentation on negotiations, contracts, and intellectual property (IP), emphasizing the intersection of law and the business of art.

Kassandra noted the importance of empowering artists to take full ownership of their work and navigate questions related intellectual property effectively.

“I felt privileged to be able to present and share what I know about IP through my work at the Clinic, and I left the Showcase feeling inspired not only by the diverse talents represented but also by the strong, supportive network we’re building within Manitoba’s creative community.”

On Friday, the students facilitated Knowledge Café sessions focused on group discussions on Intellectual Property and Copyright. On Friday and Saturday, the students hosted “Ask The Expert” sessions, where attendees requested individualized legal information and advise on a one-on-one basis.

Throughout the event, artists emphasized a common theme of accessibility in their performances and discussions. For example, Molly’s Comedy Cabaret performs in venues like hospitals and retirement homes, demonstrating that art should be accessible and reach beyond traditional spaces to benefit the wider community. Derived from their website, they “. . . believe that theatre and music are an integral part of a healthy and happy society, and that they need to extend beyond the four walls of the theatre.”

Mari Padeanu (Emerging Manitoba Artist); Kassandra Taverner (3L), Mathew O’Connor (3L) Cassidy Mann (Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Manitoba Music).

The law students engaged with other artists and arts supporters throughout the event, and had the opportunity to meet Cassidy Mann, Indigenous Music Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music, who shared her experience in the music industry and her role in supporting Indigenous artists.

Reflecting on the event, Mathew remarked on the valuable stories he heard from all attendees, which deepened his understanding of their artistic practices and legal needs. He expressed excitement about future collaborations with those he met, including emerging artists like singer Shay Wolf, all female Indigenous band Gurlz, Gurlz, Gurlz, and Mari Padeanu. 

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is currently operated by 20 third-year law students dedicated to enhancing legal support for Manitoba’s arts and culture community province-wide.  Artists and arts organizations in need of legal assistance can fill out an online intake form for support.