Announcement
The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) is excited to announce a new initiative finalized this summer with the assistance of the CBABC Equality Committee. CBABC has negotiated an agreement with the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) to advance legal education for Aboriginal persons through the establishment of two annual scholarships for Aboriginal persons to attend law school at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Victoria (UVic).

Our Partners
NAAF has an excellent record in honouring the achievements of Aboriginal people in Canada. Firstly through the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards which marks its 15th Anniversary in 2008, and secondly, by providing more than $27 million in scholarships and bursaries to Aboriginal students across the country since 1988. Further, the Law Foundation of British Columbia has also recognized the value of this initiative by committing to match funds raised by the CBABC, to a maximum of $75,000.

Campaign Objectives
To raise a minimum of $500,000 to endow the CBABC Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust and secure matching funds of $75,000 from the Law Foundation of British Columbia.

The Scholarship
Scholarships will be paid from the interest earned on the trust fund managed by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. In addition, NAAF has made a commitment to contribute additional monies for scholarship distribution purposes, an amount equal to the interest earned annually (less a small administration fee of approximately seven per cent of the interest).

Applicant Eligibility
The applicant eligibility is defined in the NAAF agreement with the CBABC. The key criteria for applicants require that they must:

• Have satisfactory academic standing
• Be of Aboriginal descent
• Be accepted in first year law studies in the upcoming year at either UBC or UVic
• Demonstrate financial need

Scholarship Marketing
NAAF will have lead responsibility to promote the scholarship program through its existing Education Department. Promotional activities will focus on a national campaign to Aboriginal people interested in studying law at UBC or UVic.

Background
The Aboriginal Community in Canada is the fastest growing population with more than 50 per cent under 25 years. In addition, many Aboriginal persons are returning to school as mature students. Recent studies have identified that a significant number of placements at BC law schools specifically set aside for Aboriginal persons remain vacant each year, due in part to the inability of qualified candidates being able to fund their post graduate studies.

This exciting partnership with NAAF recognizes that a legal education contributes to capacity building within the Aboriginal community in governance, businesses, social and human rights and acknowledges the rapidly expanding legal needs of a growing Aboriginal population by paving the road for current and future leaders.

Featured Leaders
Many respected Aboriginal leaders have studied law, applying their legal expertise to building Aboriginal communities, advancing Aboriginal rights, protecting the environment, and improving media communications. Aboriginal leaders who have changed and are changing the future of aboriginal persons in Canada and beyond include:

• The Honourable Steven L Point, OBC, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia;
• Professor John Borrows, legal scholar;
• Hugh Braker, QC, 2007 NAAF Award Winner (first BC First Nations lawyer to receive the honourary title of Queen's Counsel);
• Calvin Helin, businessman and author;
• Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit Task Force Member (former Minister Responsible for BC Ministry of Children and Family Development);
• Roberta L Jamieson, President and CEO (NAAF);
• Chief Robert Louie, businessman;
• Duncan McCue, CBC-TV reporter;
• Professor Patricia Monture, legal and First Nations scholar;
• The Honourable Alfred Scow, Retired Judge, Provincial Court of British Columbia;
• Leona M Sparrow, Director of the Treaty Directorate;
• Mark Stevenson, Treaty Negotiator;
• The Honourable Judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, BC's first Representative for Children and Youth;
• Jody Wilson, BC Treaty Commissioner; and
• Gary Youngman, Consulting Director, Aboriginal Participation (VANOC).

While there are many successes and many leaders and lawyers of Aboriginal ancestry, there is a continuing need to provide financial support to other Aboriginal people who choose to pursue a post-graduate degree in the study of law, as existing education support programs are heavily subscribed. Prospective candidates for the study of law represent some of Canada’s emerging leaders and follow in the footsteps of the many respected leaders and lawyers of Aboriginal ancestry with law degrees who have gone before them.

Your Contribution
We invite you to make a contribution to help endow this trust fund. All contributions received prior to March 31, 2008 will receive acknowledgement at our Spring Launch event.

Contribute now by completing the Contribution Form.