An Evening of Connection and Community

The event welcomed attendees into the heart of Migizii Agamik, a culturally significant space for Indigenous students at the University of Manitoba. Sarah Shuttleworth (2L), MILSA’s VP Social Coordinator, reflected on the choice of venue, saying, “Networking events can be intimidating, especially for Indigenous law students, so we, as MILSA, wanted to ensure this event felt warm and welcoming—a reason why we chose to host the event at Migizii Agamik.”

From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the space buzzed with conversation, laughter, and a sense of shared purpose as participants connected, shared experiences, and celebrated the strength of the Manitoba Indigenous legal community.

Guests were treated to appetizers and snacks from Indigenous-owned businesses, including Sharecuterie and Bistro on Notre Dame, alongside a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. These thoughtful details set a tone of inclusivity and warmth, ensuring everyone felt at ease.

Reflecting on the event, Chloe Dreilich-Girard (2L), MILSA’s VP External – Métis, shared, “Hosting this networking event for Indigenous law students and lawyers in Migizii Agamik—a space already known to many who have been students at UM—was truly special. As soon as you entered the room, you could feel the energy—the warmth, the connection, the sense of belonging.”

Albert (2L) echoed this sentiment: “For me, this gathering felt like a celebration of connection and belonging—a momentary escape to the familiarity of home while attending the University of Manitoba. It’s often challenging to replicate the warmth and customs of life back on the rez, especially in an institution where practices and values can starkly contrast with the experiences I grew up with in Northern Manitoba, in my community of Kinosao Sipi. Yet, the atmosphere at Migizii Agamik during the event brought a sense of home that I am often missing while attending law school.”

Innovative Networking Activities

The event featured networking bingo, a creative and engaging activity designed to spark conversations in a relaxed environment. The bingo cards included prompts related to Robson Hall, MILSA, and the legal profession. Attendees eagerly connected to complete their cards, with lawyers like Stacey Soldier [JD/07] enthusiastically participating. Soldier, along with Genevieve Benoit [JD/20] and Janell Jackson (2L), won prizes for completing their bingo sheets first.

Reflecting on the atmosphere, Shuttleworth shared, “It was uplifting to watch everyone in the room talk and laugh—it felt as if we were all one big family.”

A Celebratory Turnout

“In Good Relations” saw an impressive turnout, including a strong presence of 2L law students and representatives from all levels of the Manitoba Indigenous Bar. Attendees included special guests Wendy Whitecloud, Robson Hall’s Elder-in-Residence, and Loretta Ross, Manitoba’s Treaty Commissioner. Their presence underscored the event’s importance in fostering relationships and inspiring the next generation of Indigenous legal professionals.

Sharing big laughs, playing bingo all night, and reflecting on our shared purpose of entering the legal profession to create meaningful change for Indigenous people reminded me why I chose this path, even during moments where I am questioning myself ‘Why am I doing this?’ Events like this are not just gatherings—they are affirmations of why we do what we do. – Julianna Albert, 2L

Albert (2L) reflected on the impact of the evening, saying, “It was a breath of fresh air to meet and connect with role models who have inspired my own journey to law school—trailblazers like Daphne Comegan [JD/21], Jeremy McKay [JD/18], and Alyssa Bird [JD/19]—true Indigenous legal powerhouses. They carved out paths and created spaces in law school where they once had to run, so students like me can now walk. Sharing big laughs, playing bingo all night, and reflecting on our shared purpose of entering the legal profession to create meaningful change for Indigenous people reminded me why I chose this path, even during moments where I am questioning myself ‘Why am I doing this?’ Events like this are not just gatherings—they are affirmations of why we do what we do.”

A Vision for the Future

This event, conceptualized by Chloe Dreilich-Girard (2L), VP External – Métis, and Kiersten Sanderson (2L), VP Professional Development, highlighted the power of informal networking to build community. The MILSA executive team worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life, and their efforts paid off in an evening that exceeded expectations.

The success of “In Good Relations” has sparked hope that it will become an annual tradition, continuing to provide a space for relationship-building within the Manitoba Indigenous Bar. Dreilich-Girard said, “While this was our first time hosting an event like this, I truly hope it won’t be the last. We need more spaces where we can come together as Indigenous peoples in the legal profession, where we can be our authentic selves, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships.”

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Ekosani kinanaskomitinawaw MILSA for the hard work and care that went into creating such a memorable experience. It’s not every day that you can share your mlahs, those big auntie laughs, and speak your rez slang without hesitation or shyness. Thank you for making space for that joy, and for reminding me of the community I carry with me even while away from home. – Julianna Albert, 2L

MILSA extends its heartfelt thanks to the lawyers, students, and graduates who attended, as well as the volunteers and executives who dedicated their time and energy to planning the event. As this initiative grows, it promises to strengthen connections and create lasting impacts on the Indigenous legal community in Manitoba.

Albert offered her gratitude, saying, “Ekosani kinanaskomitinawaw MILSA for the hard work and care that went into creating such a memorable experience. It’s not every day that you can share your mlahs, those big auntie laughs, and speak your rez slang without hesitation or shyness. Thank you for making space for that joy, and for reminding me of the community I carry with me even while away from home.”

With its emphasis on community, collaboration, and mentorship, “In Good Relations” serves as a shining example of how shared spaces and shared stories can unite and inspire.

The Bursary was established in 2022 to be awarded annually to a First Nation, Inuit or Métis female or transfeminine student enrolled in her first year of full-time studies at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. According to Métis alum Roxanne Gagné [LLB/2008] who initiated the bursary fund, she and other members of the legal profession contributed to the fund to give back to community and support diversity in the legal profession as well as help forge a path towards reconciliation by making legal education attainable to such students.

“Giving back and promoting diversity in the legal profession are the reasons I created the fund,” said Gagné when explaining her motivation to spearhead establishing this bursary. “This is a tangible way to promote diversity in the legal profession. If we encourage more diverse law students now, we will have more diverse lawyers and judges in the future.”

Naming the bursary in Whitecloud’s honour, was Gagné’s way of recognizing and thanking her former professor and mentor for helping her and many other Indigenous students achieve successful legal careers. Whitecloud retired in 2019 after nearly 30 years of teaching property law, constitutional law, and aboriginal law in addition to serving as Director of the Academic Support Program. She returned to Robson Hall in August of 2022 as an Elder-in-Residence.

Whitecloud was the first Indigenous female law professor at the Faculty of Law, spearheading many courses related to indigenous studies. Today, the Faculty offers its J.D. students a variety of courses on Aboriginal Law and Policy designed to inform and prepare students to understand and work with the legal issues involving Indigenous communities. Professor Whitecloud was and is an inspiration and mentor to many students with a genuine concern for all of them.

Gagné recalled from her own experience that Whitecloud was always available to provide guidance and encouragement during the hard moments of law school. As a mature student returning to pursue law as a second career after working as a legal assistant for the Federal Crown, Gagné had been told by her friend, articling student Christina Cheater (as she then was, now The Honourable Judge Cheater of the Dauphin Provincial Court), told her to see Whitecloud for help. “I absolutely love Wendy,” said Gagné.

To her former students, Whitecloud is a woman who represents courage, leadership and vision. A member of the Dakota Nation, Whitecloud served and still serves on a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community service organizations which seek to address issues related to justice, women and children. She has served as a Commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), established in the fall of 1999. The AJIC’s mandate was to review the report of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (1991), to identify priority areas for government action, and make practical, cost-effective and attainable recommendations for improving justice programs and services for First Nations and Métis people in Manitoba.

“The fund was designed to assist Indigenous women to attend law school and it has already accomplished its objective in giving out the first award,” said Whitecloud. “I cannot thank Roxanne enough for her work in getting the fund established and her interest in enhancing the fund.”

The thing that makes the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law stand out from other Faculty of Law Bursaries other than applicants must identify as female or transfeminine and self—declare as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit from Canada, is that they must submit a maximum 250-word statement describing how they meet the criteria for the award.

Tréchelle Bunn (1L), inaugural recipient of the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law.

Inaugural recipient Tréchelle Bunn, while only in her first year of law school has already set an impressive precedent. A member of the Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation and star hockey player for the Bisons while majoring in criminology at the University of Manitoba in her undergrad, Bunn’s first month of law school was spent organizing the second annual Reconciliation Run event in Birtle, Manitoba. The run brought together more than 150 runners on September 30 this year.

“It is a great honour to be awarded the inaugural Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law,” said Bunn. “Both as a law student and a fellow Dakota winyan (woman), Wendy is a tremendous inspiration to me. As the first Indigenous female law professor at the Faculty of Law, Wendy is a trailblazer who paved the way for me and other Indigenous women pursuing careers in law.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Roxanne Gagné for establishing this bursary. It is a testament to the strong Indigenous women actively working to break down barriers for the next generation of Indigenous women in law.”

Gagné hopes eventually the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary will be able to assist more than one law student each year.

“What can be done to achieve Reconciliation,” said Gagné, “is repairing relationships. Establishing this bursary is also a path toward Reconciliation, by making it possible for Indigenous women to become lawyers and judges and leaders in our society.”

Contributions to the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law can be made online through the University of Manitoba.

The Class of 1925 would also be astonished to encounter the new cohort of Master of Human Rights (MHR) students experiencing their own orientation down the hall – the first class to do so in-person since 2020. Similarly, the MHR students were treated to introductions to Treaty and Indigenous rights, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Career Services and Counselling Services.

Greeted first thing on Tuesday morning by Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, and new Elder-in-Residence, Wendy Whitecloud, law students heard about the importance of taking care of mental health and reaching out rather than struggling alone.

“A law student takes on the burden of professional ethical responsibility – law is a service profession. This entails civility, respect and honesty, but it comes with a duty to learn,” said Dean Jochelson. “Part of learning law is learning about the grievous harms that Canada has caused and continues to cause to Indigenous peoples, and also that amelioration and remedy can be fostered through law (as well as through social transformation). However, as a prerequisite, the leaders of tomorrow must stay well and balanced. Our orientation is geared towards students understanding that these issues are interconnected, and that to best serve the public, self-care is vital.”

Dr. Jennifer L. Schulz, Associate Dean, Juris Doctor program, brought home that yes, law school is hard, but yes, we are here to help. “We have made real efforts to create excellent student experiences and to generate a warm, inclusive, mental-health-supporting environment for our law students. We are so pleased to have them back in the building!” she said.

The Honorable Mr. Justice Richard Chartier, Chief Justice of the Manitoba Court of Appeal presided over his last annual Welcome Ceremony prior to his retirement this fall, wherein he handed out the Law Society of Manitoba’s Code of Conduct to all first-year law students.

The Manitoba Bar Association and the Law Society of Manitoba welcomed the students with a champagne reception and invited them to take advantage of the benefits of MBA memberships which the law school pays for each student annually.

Senator Mary Jane McCallum encouraged first-year law students to work towards reconciliation as they become lawyers.

Wednesday began with an intimate and incredibly riveting visit from Senator Mary Jane McCallum, who shared her experiences with Residential Schools and impressed upon the students the important role all lawyers have in working towards furthering reconciliation.

Students then toured the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, followed by a lunch hosted by the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students Association. The afternoon included a special talk on mindfulness for lawyers given by Professor Thomas Telfer from Western University Law.  Finally, David Ness from the University of Manitoba’s Student Counselling Service introduced the students to the in-house counselling the Faculty of Law has put in place especially for all law students.

Then it was down to business with first years attending their first-ever law classes on Thursday. A tour of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights closed the week on Friday.

The Honourable Murray Sinclair

The Hon. Mr. Sinclair will act as an advisory resource to students and the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students Association (MILSA), acting as a knowledge keeper specializing in Indigenous culture and law. At the same time as serving as Elder-in-Residence to the Faculty of Law, he will also be joining the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation as an honourary patron. There, he will be providing Indigenous law guidance and expert advice to the NCTR and its Governance Structure.

Whitecloud will act as a resource and mentor, principally to Faculty of Law professors  and staff.

“The Faculty of Law has been committed to walking the path of Truth and Reconciliation, for a long time already, but we recognize that this journey requires wisdom, consultation and advice,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “The Honourable Mr. Sinclair and Ms. Whitecloud’s support and knowledge are invaluable and we welcome them both back to Robson Hall.”

“Including Elders in the learning process is part of the foundation of Indigenous pedagogy. Having these two remarkable and respected knowledge-keepers in our midst will fill a much-needed gap in the education of all our law students, and will especially benefit our Indigenous law students, both current and future,” said Marc Kruse, the Faculty of Law’s Indigenous Legal Studies Coordinator.

Wendy Whitecloud

A former member of the Canadian Senate who served as chair of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015, The Hon. Sinclair recently returned to the practice of law at Cochrane Saxberg. He is Anishinaabe and a member of the Peguis First Nation. After graduating from Robson Hall in 1979, The Hon. Sinclair pursued an illustrious 40-year career in the Justice system as a lawyer and judge. Throughout, he often returned to Robson Hall as a guest speaker and continues to mentor law students and junior lawyers.

As his list of credentials is exemplary, one of The Hon. Sinclair’s greatest achievements are being a father, husband to his wife Katherine and mooshum to his five grandchildren. 

Wendy Whitecloud, completed her law degree at Queen’s University, which last year presented her with its Justice Thomas Cromwell Distinguished Public Service Award. She recently retired from a long and distinguished career at the Faculty of Law, where she served as the Director of Academic Support program, teaching property, constitutional, and Aboriginal law. A past board member of the Elizabeth Fry Society, she was a member of the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission.

Brewing over at least the past decade, movement towards curriculum Indigenization at the Faculty of Law came to a head this summer when the new Dean of Law Dr. Richard Jochelson, a professor with the faculty since 2016, reinvigorated an advisory group now called the Truth and Reconciliation Action Team. The Team consists of professors, instructors and practicing professional lawyers with deeply-rooted experience and knowledge in Aboriginal law, Indigenous Legal Orders, teaching and practice. Most also have personal family connections to Indigenous communities across Canada.

This Team is working to advise the Faculty and take action to implement long-anticipated changes to the curriculum. The Team builds further on a mandate adopted by the Law Faculty Council (LFC) in 2016 when former Dean Dr. Lorna Turnbull brought a motion to “investigate options for fulfilling elements of Call to Action #28 in existing courses and programs in a more coordinated way.”

“I am most grateful and excited that this group of alumni and advisors have agreed to share their time, talent and wisdom to move the Faculty of Law into the future,” said Jochelson. “Each voice on this team is critical to ensure we are on the right track with Indigenizing our curriculum, improving the student experience and reaching out to untapped potential students. As such, it is equally critical that we include the student voices of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students Association.”

Team member Stacey Soldier graduated from the Faculty of Law in 2007. “I am so pleased to be a part of a historical endeavor,” she said, regarding her involvement. “The years I spent at Robson Hall had little to offer on Indigenous people and perspectives, with the exception of a portion in Constitutional Law and an upper-level course. I would not have made it through without the support of Wendy Whitecloud, whose steady and constant presence was a lifeline.”

Soldier is pleased with changes made thus far. “Marc Kruse, the new Indigenous Student Support Coordinator is already off to an amazing start and his mentorship and enthusiasm are invaluable,” she added.

Likewise, Team member and Robson Hall alumna Jessica Saunders [JD/2012] said, “During my time at Robson Hall, professors like Wendy Whitecloud and Lorna Turnbull worked in their own ways to advance reconciliation and support Indigenous students. Now, those efforts are being made full circle by Robson Hall. These efforts will go a long way to ensure future lawyers, academics, law and policy makers are advancing reconciliation in their own ways and on a wider scale.”

Given this history, these changes have been a long time coming, and are welcomed by members of the Faculty of Law community. Even as recently as two years ago, “Indigenous content was really missing from the majority of my first-year courses and it was disappointing to see,” said third-year student Katie Rothwell, an active member of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students Association (MILSA) who is set to graduate in the spring of 2022. “However, it’s encouraging to hear from current first-year students that there is a real prioritization of Indigenous content in their courses.”

One such first-year student, Melinda Moch, was pleased to see consistent commentary being made on Indigenous matters in her first-term courses. “Our orientation days spotlighted many Indigenous voices and many of our first few weeks of classes had Indigenous content shared by outside sources,” she said. “I was pleased to see that a distinction is being made between Aboriginal Law (relating to Canada’s legislation and laws pertaining to the Indian Act and Indigenous persons) and Indigenous Legal Orders (being the laws of Canada’s Inuit, First Nations and Metis peoples) and I believe that each of our professors acknowledged this distinction at one point or another.”

Since the Faculty adopted Call to Action #28 in 2016, a number of dedicated courses have delivered Indigenous content to students at Robson Hall including:

• Aboriginal Law – Criminal Justice and Family Law
• Aboriginal Peoples and the Law
• Indigenous Economic Development and the Law
• Oral History, Indigenous Peoples, and the Law

No less than 24 courses in the Faculty’s catalogue also contain Indigenous-related units of study for a substantial period of the course offering, in addition to doctrinal and clinical learning. These include such mandatory courses as:

• Administrative Law
• Constitutional Law
• Evidence
• Legal Systems
• Legal Profession and Professional Responsibility
• Property

This fall, the Faculty took its first-year curriculum a step further, first, as Moch noted, by incorporating significant content into its orientation days, followed by educational activities implanted into the mandatory first-year Legal Systems course. Dean Jochelson’s orientation address was informed by findings of the TRC. Faculty alumni and Indigenous members of the practicing bar, Stacey Soldier and Sacha Paul, gave a “Welcome from the Bar” address, and brought welcome from their respective Treaty lands. Law Orientation’s Keynote address was given by Canadian Senator Mary Jane McCallum who spoke about her role as a law maker and how her experiences in residential schools informed her perspective and law-making mission.

The Legal Systems course that Moch and her fellow first-year classmates have experienced in their first term was facilitated by the Manitoba Museum and included a modules involving discussion of the original spirit and intent of the Treaties, their foundational importance, and the basis of all kinds of law and how these discussions create the possibility of a moral inflection point in relations with First Nations peoples. Other experiences included elders and teachers from Roseau, Peguis and Berens First Nations, plus guest speakers Elder Harry Bone, Manitoba Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross, Former Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly, and UM Faculty of Law alumna and Athabasca University Assistant Professor, Myra Tait. Professor Turnbull is the lead instructor for this course in collaboration with Ontario-based instructor and lawyer, Dr. Rebecca Bromwich-Jaremko.

Learning about these curriculum updates, third-year student Rothwell said, “I think it is crucial to introduce Indigenous content as early on as possible because it is such an important topic. Knowing that professors and instructors are making a point to introduce and incorporate Indigenous content into first-year courses, such as Legal Systems and Methods is a step in the right direction; although there is still much work to be done, it is one positive step.”

In answer to what she hopes to see improve with these initiatives, Moch said, “I look forward to seeing an increase in course content relating to Indigenous peoples in the future and specifically a separate course offering specifically relating to the law and Indigenous peoples.” Further, she added, “I would acknowledge the hard work of our Professors to rethink and reformat their commentary in this regard and have personally (happily) noted their thought-provoking, open-ended questions when discussing jurisprudence that reflects Canada’s colonial foundation.”

More updates are coming. This past summer, the Faculty hired Marc Kruse [JD/2015], practicing lawyer and research scholar specializing in the Indigenization of curricula. Kruse plays several roles at the Faculty including supporting Indigenous students, working with Faculty members to review their course curricula and help improve Indigenous content. Retired Faculty member Wendy Whitecloud, one of the architects of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, has also been retained to support Kruse and students.

“I was hired to continue the Indigenous student support work of Wendy Whitecloud and bring a new addition to the position for curriculum development,” said Kruse. “When I joined the Faculty, the Truth and Reconciliation Action Team had already been formed. With their support we were able to develop a new course which fulfills the TRC Call to Action 28.”

This new course, recently passed by the Law Faculty Council, is set to be mandatory for all second-year law students and was developed with the addition of Indigenous perspectives to first year courses to ensure that it would not be a standalone class. “Our new course continues discussions of Indigenous legal issues started in first year and will help our students develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews,” Kruse explained. “Indigenizing our curriculum and those of all law schools in Canada is necessary for meaningful discussions about reconciliation.”

He continued, “Non-Indigenous Canadians and Indigenous folk need to see each other as equals and to do so, both sides need to have respect for each other; this respect means learning about each other’s laws and worldviews. Our new class is the next step in developing a curriculum which prioritizes the knowledge students will need to take part in and lead Canada’s reconciliation efforts.”

As the Faculty of Law’s Truth and Reconciliation Action Team rolls out more changes in the coming months, law students at the University of Manitoba and the broader legal community can expect to see such progress as the hiring of teaching staff who will be actively involved in the Indigenization of the law program including developing the Faculty’s teaching and clinical curriculum; the hiring of a Faculty member to help Indigenize the legal curriculum and develop an Indigenous-focused research program with an eye to meeting the TRC Calls to Action; development of an endowed Chair in Indigenous Economic Reconciliation; and implementation of further workshops aimed at educating students and the practicing bar around Gladue principles, and Indigenous People and the Criminal Justice System.

“When it comes to changes being made to implement Calls to Action and to advance reconciliation,” Saunders reflected, “the Hon. Murray Sinclair has said that we must ask, “what will this do to change the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canada?”. Providing a foundation for Indigenous Laws and Legal Orders, honoring the stories, voices and vision of Indigenous students and their forebears impacted by Indian Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop systems, are just some of the impactful changes Robson Hall is making to contribute to a relationship based on respect.”

Philosophical outlook

Originally from Saskatchewan, Kruse was born in Moose Jaw, raised in Regina, and after travelling between Banff and Ottawa as a young adult, settled in Calgary for six years, attending Mount Royal College while working as a residential framer. He completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy at the University of Winnipeg before starting law school at the University of Manitoba at the age of 31.

“My first inspiration for law came from watching Matlock with my grandfather” he said. “In high school I was able to take a Law class which furthered my interest. During my undergrad I focused a lot on Political Philosophy and the history of ideas which included many texts on the law. During my time at UW I was the philosophy student group coordinator. Though my role I was introduced to the Legal Help Centre and was one of the first volunteers there. I met with Justice Suche and the Honourable Murray Sinclair who were both inspirations and gave me a strong sense of the need for access to justice.”

Experiential learning

Coming from such a philosophical and theoretical background, he made a point of focusing on the practical aspects of law while at Robson Hall. “During the first week of law school it became clear that criminal defence work was what I wanted to focus on as I wanted to engage with the Charter, access to justice, and the Indigenous community,” he recalled. “I was able to work with the ULC [University Law Centre] and was a student supervisor in my third year. The law clinic connected me with Legal Aid lawyers who continue to be my mentors today.”

“The Indigenous professors here at the time were strong mentors for me as well,” said Kruse. “Brenda Gunn taught me Constitutional law, Aimée Craft taught me Gender and Law and a directed reading on Sentencing. Wendy Whitecloud taught me Aboriginal rights and title.”

“Robson Hall was the first time in my education where I was presented with a decolonial history of Canada which impacted me personally and helped solidify my own identity within Canada.”

After articling at Legal Aid Manitoba and being called to the Manitoba Bar, Kruse practiced as an associate at Rees Dyck Rogala law offices where he found his desire to assist Indigenous people involved in the Justice system to be in conflict with the business side of law, especially when his clients were often on Legal Aid certificates. “Legal Aid tariffs have not been raised since 2008 so making a living wage was difficult,” he explained. “I enjoy the court room and drafting complex legal arguments. I have appeared in the Court of Appeal four times and enjoy the back and forth with the Bench. I have also enjoyed making charter applications and those cases which rely on detailed factums.”

His position as Indigenous Student Support Coordinator at the Faculty of Law will allow him to maintain a small practice of Indigenous clients so he may continue to bring Indigenous perspectives and legal practices into the court room as a Saulteaux (Muscowpetung First Nation) Indigenous person, in hopes of furthering Restorative Justice in Canada. With this practical experience, he also hopes to assist with expanding the Faculty’s clinical offerings.

Indigenizing Law’s curriculum

Significantly Indigenizing curricula in Canada has become an area of research expertise for Kruse, since beginning his professional legal career. He has studied and written extensively on the subject, including co-authoring the article Educating in the Seventh Fire: Debwewin, Mino-bimaadiziwin, and Ecological Justicealong with Nicolas Tanchuk, and Robert Hamilton published in 2020 in the University of Illinois journal, Educational Theory. Marc has helped to redesign, implement and teach courses on Indigenous People and the Law for the Department of Political Science at the University of Winnipeg, where he taught an Indigenous course requirement since 2016.

“I focus on the relationship between philosophical ethics, political philosophy, and law,” he said, describing his particular area of research focus. “I am especially interested in ways educational institutions can ameliorate or exacerbate legal problems for Indigenous peoples. I have published work on the moral foundations of professional ethics and work on Indigenous educational ethics. Through the Yellowhead Institute I also took part in a comprehensive study of Canadian Injunction cases in relation to [First Nations].”

“I want to amplify indigenous theory and place it in dialogue with the history of ideas taught in philosophy, education, and law departments around the world.”

Dean of Law Richard Jochelson added, “Marc brings a unique perspective to the school because he has a deep understanding and history of Indigenizing post-secondary curriculum, has significant practice experience, and is also an alum who harbours a deep appreciation for political philosophy.”

Jochelson emphasised that Kruse’s role at the Faculty is critical but also unique. “It is rare to find an individual who is able to support students but also develop educational content. We are fortunate to have hired Marc,” Jochelson said.

Currently, as Indigenous Student Support Coordinator, Kruse’s first area of focus will be in addressing the needs of Indigenous students including helping with funding, tutors, and organizing the Kawaskimhon Moot team. Next will be Indigenizing the Juris Doctor program curriculum by assisting professors with their course content and developing new Indigenous courses. “We have two committees focused on the [Truth and Reconciliation] calls to action which I lead,” he said, describing the Faculty’s newly-struck TRC Action Committee’s two branches of mentorship/pathways, and curriculum change. “This committee is formed of students, faculty, and practicing lawyers who are volunteering to assist with community engagement and curriculum development.”

Kruse will guide the committee in creating pathways both into (recruitment and admissions) and out of law school (articling, employment) for the Faculty’s Indigenous students. Finally, he plans to encourage community engagement.

Coming full circle

Eventually, Kruse will also teach some of the new Indigenous courses in development at the Faculty. When he does, students can expect a teaching style that encourages group discussion and student engagement. “I tend to have shorter lectures with additional guest speakers or video content to support a variety of learning styles,” he said.

As an alumnus of Robson Hall, Kruse is happy to share some words of encouragement for current law students: “I am sure students hear this from a lot of people but they really need to follow their passion. Practicing law can be very difficult for a variety of reasons: long hours, meticulous review of complex legal documents, reviewing criminal disclosure and working though client’s trauma, etc. To persevere through these difficulties, you must have a passion for the work you are doing to stay focused and motivated.”

First held in 1994 at the University of Toronto, the Kawaskimhon (which roughly translates from Cree to “speaking with knowledge”) is a consensus-based, non-adversarial moot that incorporates Indigenous legal traditions with federal, provincial and international law. Mooters participate in roundtable negotiations on a particular topic in Indigenous law, representing their assigned parties. Please see the Kawaskimhon 2018 website for more information about the moot.

Jeremy McKay and Denby McLean worked with coach Wendy Whitecloud to prepare for this year’s 24^th annual Kawaskimhon. About 19 law schools across Canada took part with each team being assigned a role to play in the annual topic. This year’s moot problem was regarding the status, protection and control of Indigenous archeological artefacts of significance to the culture and identity of the Mohawk people of Kanehsata:ke. Parties involved in the problem include the Mohawk Nation, the Municipality of Oka, the province of Quebec, and the Government of Canada. Robson Hall’s McKay and McLean took the role of the Parc national d’Oka.

“The Moot was an opportunity for me to apply my coursework in Aboriginal Law to a new and exciting fact pattern,” said McKay. “I also enjoyed connecting with other students across Canada who are interested in Aboriginal Law.”

Moot facilitators included Jessica Labranche, (BCL/LLB’12), a Crane Clan Anishinaabe Kwe and citizen of Michipicoten First Nation and the Principal at Black Feather Law, a Toronto based law firm; Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller (Kahente means “she walks ahead”) (Kanien:keha’ka/Mohawk), Assistant Professor in the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies and Co-Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research, Culture, Language and Education at Carleton University; Catherine Fagan, (BCL/LLB’06), a member of the Southern Inuit community of NunatuKavut in Labrador and a partner at Arbutus Law Group LLP; and Nicholas Dodd, (BCL/LLB’09), a lawyer at Dionne Schulze who has worked on cases involving the possession of reserve lands, federal and provincial environmental assessments, Aboriginal rights, the Indian Act tax exemption as well as many other areas of the Indian Act, administrative law and general private law. 

Thirty-one students participated in a number of events involving a variety of dispute resolution approaches in many different areas of private and public law. A complete listing of all events, students and coaches is set out below. The Faculty wishes to recognize the outstanding work of all our students and coaches. Each Robson Hall team did us proud.

Of particular note this year is the performance of Steve Falkingham who placed second among oral advocates participating in the Harold G. Fox Moot in Intellectual Property Law. Robson Hall first participated in this national event three years ago at the invitation of Supreme Court of Canada Justice Marshall Rothstein (now retired), who is a distinguished alumnus of and former lecturer for our school.

Robson Hall could not offer the moot experience to students without the wonderful support we continually receive from the legal community. We truly appreciate it. An incredible group of coaches from the faculty, bar and bench support our students every step of the way, while many other members of the legal community give their time to explain complex areas of the law, review written briefs or act as practice judges.

The Faculty also thanks all of our donors for their support. These generous people and organizations also tend either to be part of or connected to the legal community.  

This year a student group, the Robson Hall Employment and Labour Law Club, made an outstanding contribution as well – they took the initiative of sending four students to the Sports and Entertainment Law Society’s Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada in Toronto, a highly popular event that is entirely student-run.

On behalf of the students, staff and faculty at Robson Hall, thank you to everyone for your support.

-on behalf of Sarah Lugtig, Director of Experiential Learning

ABA Regional Negotiation Competition

Left to right: Katz and Gorlick

In November 2015, Jonathan Katz and Ryan Gorlick (who had both placed first in the Robson Hall 2015 Negotiation competition) represented Robson Hall as one of seven law schools to compete at the American Bar Association Regional Negotiation competition in Calgary, Alberta.

Michael Weinstein, partner at Hill Sokalski Walsh Olsen LLP, and Steven Meltzer of Duboff Edwards Haight & Schachter LLP (who themselves competed in this event while in law school) coached the team together with Marla Billinghurst, Robson Hall’s Director of Career Development.

According to Katz, moot competitions are a fantastic learning opportunity.

“The negotiation competition was undoubtedly a positive experience for Ryan and I,” said Katz.  “We learned many valuable lessons – ones we’ll carry forward with us throughout our careers.”

Donor support for our participation in this event is generously provided by The Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law.

Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada

From November 8 to 10, 2015, the Robson Hall Employment and Labour Law Club sent four students to the Sports and Entertainment Law Society’s Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada in Toronto.

Robson Hall students Jennifer McKinnon, Nikki Philp, Joe Caligiuri and Sharu Ratnajothy attended the event for the first time in its three years of operation.

The event is a moot competition for law students designed to simulate salary arbitration procedures used in the National Hockey League. Teams represent one of three real-life NHL players who went through the arbitration process over the summer. Each team takes one side of the case – club or player – and competes by writing briefs and making arguments on the fairness of the salary amount the player stands to receive.

This year, players included forward Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals, whose midpoint salary is $3.75 million; defenceman Justin Schultz of the Edmonton Oilers, whose midpoint salary was $3.9 million; and Mike Hoffman, a forward with the Ottawa Senators whose midpoint salary was $2 million.

Nicholas Rossi, then a third-year student at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law (and this year’s competition judge), created the moot in 2012.

“I got to see firsthand the quality of the competition,” said Rossi. “The level of competition was high.”

Rossi got his idea for the moot in his first year at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, where a similar event (focused on baseball instead of hockey) happened.

After transferring to U of T for his second year, Rossi wanted to do something similar in Canada.

“People love hockey,” said Rossi. “There’s a big market for it. People are passionate about it.”

This year’s arbitration included 32 teams with representatives from most law schools in Ontario and from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick and Quebec.

Left to right: Ranish Raveendrabose, Stacey Dunn, Michael Jason, Former Supreme Court Justice Marshall Rothstein, Adriane Porcin, Scott Birse and Steve Falkingham

Harold G. Fox Moot

Eighteen teams from nine law schools across Canada competed in the Harold G. Fox Moot over the February 19-21 weekend.

Robson Hall students Stacey Dunn, Scott Birse, Ranish Raveendrabose, and Steve Falkingham travelled to Toronto to represent Robson Hall in the Fox Moot.  Falkingham and Dunn served as respondents, and Birse and Raveendrabose served as appellants.

The students pleaded a copyright case involving an artist licensing their work to a large conglomerate who then (supposedly) used the work for ill. While Robson Hall didn’t win, they still performed well with Falkingham taking runner-up for the Donald F. Sim Award for best oral advocate.

“I’m very proud,” said Prof. Porcin, one of the students’ coaches. “I think they did very well. They were the only non-Ontario team to get a prize. Stellar work.

“Moots are also great because the students really got to network – they were able to talk to judges and other members of the legal community. They had dinner with former Supreme Court Justice Rothstein, and one judge who wasn’t even evaluating our team came to congratulate them on their performances.

“In typical Manitoba fashion, the students were splendid in an understated way.”

Big thanks to coaches John Myers, Michael Jason and to the rest of Winnipeg’s legal community for their support in the moot.

MacIntyre Cup

The regional round for law schools in the western provinces is called the MacIntyre Cup. This year’s competition took place February 5 and 6 in Calgary, Alberta.

Robson Hall’s team in Western Canada’s Trial Moot Competition included Ryan McElhoes and Paul Kathler, who had placed first and second respectively in Robson Hall’s 2015 trial competition.

Coached by the Honourable Justice Richard Saull of the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench and Judy Kliewer of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the students say their experience was one of the best they’ve had in law school.

“The chance to have in-depth instruction from a sitting Queen’s Bench judge and an experienced federal prosecutor was without a doubt the highlight of law school for me,” said Kathler. “Ryan and I both improved markedly in both our advocacy ability and in our confidence thanks to Justice Saull and Ms. Kliewer. We can’t thank them enough.”

Thanks to Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson LLP of Winnipeg for their support in our participation in this event.

Left to right: Rachel Wood, Devin Wehrle, Ami Kotler (co-coach), Melody Burke, Adam Meyers

Concours de la Coupe Gale 2016 Gale Cup Moot

Taking place February 18 and 19 in Toronto, the Gale Cup Moot is Canada’s premier bilingual law-school mooting competition.

Robson Hall students participating in the Gale Cup cited the experience as some of the most valuable in their legal educational careers.

“The Gale Cup was the most challenging – and rewarding – experience in my legal education so far,” said Rachel Wood, second-year law student. “Feeling that support and encouragement from our coaches – Ami Kotler and Georgia Couturier from Manitoba Prosecutions and from Prof. Debra Parkes – was one of the highlights of the experience.

“Practicing in front of members of the Manitoba Bar and Judiciary was humbling, but the practical aspect helped me grow – the whole experience is definitely going to help me in the future.”

“Being involved in the Gale Cup moot was an incredibly enriching experience,” said Melody Burke, second-year law student. “Beyond developing advocacy skills and being fully immersed in a complex legal issue, the moot provided an unprecedented opportunity for me to engage with both the Manitoba legal community and with law students from across Canada.”

Canadian Corporate/Securities Law Moot Competition

Robson Hall’s team at this year’s Corporate/Securities Moot in March consisted of Sharyne Hamm, David Meier, Desiree Hale, and Kelsey MacKay. Fillmore Riley LLP’s Ari Hanson (who graduated from the Faculty of Law as the gold medallist of the competition in 2012) and Robson Hall professor Darcy MacPherson have coached students in the moot for the last two years.

The coaches helped team members with factum preparation and practice rounds. Hanson accompanied the team to Toronto, acting as their coach at the competition itself.

Recognized as the leading event of its kind in Canada, the annual competition, hosted by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg in Toronto, provides an opportunity for top students from law schools across Canada to argue a mock Supreme Court appeal involving legal issues in corporate and securities law.

The students’ performance is judged by senior practitioners from Toronto law firms and corporations, regulators from the Ontario Securities Commission, and judges from several courts.  A panel of distinguished guest judges including The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael Moldaver of the Supreme Court of Canada judged this year’s final round.

“I am very proud of this year’s team of students,” said Ari. “The amount of work the students put into preparation for the competition goes above and beyond any sort of normal course work.”

Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Law Moot

Travis Delaronde, Colborne Poapst and Jared Wheeler – all third-year law students – represented Robson Hall at this year’s Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Law Moot in Toronto from March 11 to March 13, 2016.

Professors Brenda Gunn and Wendy Whitecloud coached the team.

Queen’s University’s Faculty of Law hosted the moot, which took place in Kingston, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

A total of 17 law schools from across Canada participated.

Kawaskimhon is a word of Cree origin which can be translated to “speaking with knowledge”. The moot is unique in that it incorporates principles of Indigenous law and uses a talking circle format in an effort to build consensus among participants instead of a more traditional, adversarial process.

This year’s moot focused on several issues raised by the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the implementation in Canadian law of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the reconciliation of Crown and Indigenous legal orders in Canada.

Photo, left to right: Arshdeep Sandhu, Co-coach Lori Douglas, Samantha Wong, Agapi Mavridis and Anita Balakumar).

Walsh Family Law Moot Competition

The Walsh Family Law Moot Competition was established by Osgoode Hall Law School to “foster relations between law schools and practitioners, to encourage the study of family law, and to increase knowledge among law students.”

This year’s competition on Saturday, March 12 in the Ontario Court of Appeal building in Toronto saw Robson Hall’s team competing against six other teams from Ontario, receiving strong marks on both their oral and written submissions.

“This is the second year a team from outside Ontario participated in the moot,” said coach Jena Colpitts, Taylor McCaffrey LLP. “It was great the students made such a strong showing.

According to Colpitts, the support of the Manitoba bench and family law bar was vital in making sure our students showed up to compete.

“All four second-year students – Arshdeep Sandhu, Samantha Wong, Agapi Mavridis and Anita Balakumar – were most grateful for the opportunity to practice before and receive feedback from our guest judges in Manitoba,” said Colpitts. “The Walsh Family Law Moot – for the second year in a row – had incredible participation from the bench and family law bar. By the time the students arrived in Toronto, their oral presentations were polished and confident.

“On behalf of myself and co-coaches Lawrence Pinsky, Lori Douglas, Norm Yusim and Hilary Taylor, we want to thank everyone who supported the University of Manitoba Walsh Family Law Moot team.”

Laskin Moot Court Competition

The Laskin Moot is a bilingual constitutional and administrative law moot hosted by a different law school each year. This year’s Laskin Moot happened in Vancouver, BC in March, and was attended by 19 schools across Canada.

Robson Hall’s Laskin mooters – coached by Denis Guénette of Manitoba Justice’s Civil Legal Services, Joel Guénette of the University of Manitoba Office of Legal Counsel, Professor Aimée Craft and Robson Hall French Language Program Coordinator Guillaume Dragon of the University of Manitoba, and Joëlle Pastora Sala of the Public Interest Law Centre – were Faye Brandson, Samantha Holloway, Stephanie Savoie and Cheyne Hodson. The students developed their oral advocacy and legal writing skills, with Brandson distinguishing herself by ranking 10^th among oral advocates.

“The Laskin was a great learning opportunity,” said Hodson. “Developing practical legal skills like legal writing and oral advocacy is sure to serve us well in our legal careers.

“It was also a great opportunity to network – we met judges, practising lawyers, academics and fellow students from across Canada in a formal courtroom setting as well as in more casual settings.”

In November 2014, 32 students from seven different law schools competed at the American Bar Association Regional competition, where our two Robson Hall teams came out on top. Heather Wadsworth and Andrew Torbiak tied for first place with Shimon Leibl and Andrew Slough. Leibl and Slough went on to place first in a tiebreaker round. The teams, with the support of their coaches, Michael Weinstein and Steven Meltzer, then competed in the American Bar Association National competition where Leibl and Slough again placed first against 190 other teams! They will go on to compete in the International competition in Dublin, Ireland in July 2015.

At the MacIntyre Cup (Western Canada’s Trial Moot Competition) held in February of this year, team Manitoba, consisting of Zachary Courtemanche and Anthony Foderaro along with their coaches, the Honourable Justice Richard Saull and Judy Kliewer of the Federal Department of Justice Prosecutions Services, placed first. The team then represented Western Canada at the Sopinka Cup, where they placed third overall in the country.

In March 2015, Kevin Mehi and Hilary Taylor won Best Factum at the Walsh Family Law Moot, with the guidance of their coaches Katelyn Clarke and Lawrence Pinsky, both of Taylor McCaffrey LLP, and invaluable collaboration from teammates Jena Colpitts and Nicole Drayton.

The Faculty could not offer this experience to students without the wonderful support we receive from the legal community and we truly appreciate it. An incredible group of coaches from the faculty, bar and bench support the students every step of the way. Many other members of the legal community give their time to explain complex areas of the law, review written briefs or act as practice judges. Current and retired members of the legal community also provide financial support for the mooting program each year.  On behalf of the students, staff and faculty at Robson Hall, thank you!

*American Bar Association Regional Negotiation Competition
Date/Location: November 1-2, 2014 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Teams: Shimon Leibl and Andrew Slough; Andrew Torbiak and Heather Wadsworth
Coaches: Michael Weinstein (partner at Hill Sokalski Walsh Olsen LLP) and Steven Meltzer (Duboff Edwards Haight & Schachter LLP)

*American Bar Association National Negotiation Competition
Date/Location: February 6-9, 2015 in Houston, Texas
Teams: Shimon Leibl and Andrew Slough; Andrew Torbiak and Heather Wadsworth
Coaches: Michael Weinstein (partner at Hill Sokalsi Walsh Olsen LLP), Professor Vivian Hilder and Professor John Pozios
Donor support from The Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law

Davies Corporate Securities Law Moot
Date/Location: March 6-7, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario
Team: Lane Foster, Miranda Grayson, Alex Leaver and Crystal Schwartz
Coaches: Ari Hanson (with assistance from Beth Eva, both with Fillmore Riley LLP), Professor Darcy MacPherson and Professor John Pozios
Donor support from Robert and Deirdre Kozminski

* Harold G. Fox Moot (Intellectual Property)
Date/Location: February 20-21, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario
Team: Daniel Booy, Dana Gregoire, Aaron Kurts and Anna Solmundson
Coaches: Michael Jason (Richardson International Limited), John Myers (Taylor McCaffrey LLP) and Professor Adriane Porcin

*Lenczner Slaght/CBA Gale Cup Moot (Criminal/Constitutional)
Date/Location: February 21, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario
Team: Zoe Abreder, Jonathon Avey, Erika Day and Adam Gingera
Coaches: Georgia Couturier and Ami Kotler (both from Manitoba Justice, Prosecutions) and Professor Debra Parkes

*Kawaskimhon Moot (Indigenous Values and Concepts of Dispute Resolution)
Date/Location: March 6-8, 2015 in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Team: Jessica Barlow and Terrance Delaronde
Coaches: Wendy Whitecloud (Director, Academic Support Program, Robson Hall) and Professor Brenda Gunn

*Laskin Moot (Canadian Constitutional and Administrative Law)
Date/Location: March 6-7, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec
Team: Stephanie Chan, Gabrielle Lisi, Josh Morry and Grant Purves
Coaches: Professor Aimée Craft; Denis Guénette (Civil Legal Services, Manitoba Justice), Joël Guénette and Joëlle Pastora Sala (Public Interest Law Centre)

MacIntyre Cup
Date/Location: February 6-7, 2015 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Team: Zachary Courtemanche and Anthony Foderaro
Coaches: The Honourable Justice Richard Saull and Judy Kliewer (Federal Department of Justice Prosecutions Services)
Donor support from Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson LLP

Sopinka Cup
Date/Location: March 13-14, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario
Team: Zachary Courtemanche and Anthony Foderaro
Coaches: The Honourable Justice Richard Saull and Judy Kliewer (Federal Department of Justice Prosecutions Services)
Donor support from Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson LLP

*Walsh Family Law Moot
Date/Location: March 14, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario
Team: Jena Colpitts, Nicole Drayton, Kevin Mehi and Hilary Taylor
Coaches: Katelyn Clarke and Lawrence Pinsky (Taylor McCaffrey LL.P.) and Associate Dean Lisa Fainstein

The faculty thanks all of our donors for their support, allowing our students to participate in the exceptional learning opportunities provided by moot competition. If you are interested in supporting any of the moots marked with an asterisk, please contact Dean Lorna Turnbull at Lorna.Turnbull@umanitoba.ca.