The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) with the assistance of the CBABC Equality Committee 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).
Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust Gala Fundraiser -- September 30, 2010
Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) and Stephen McPhee, President of the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) kicked off the successful and inspiring fundraising evening that raised more than $80,000 for the Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust. The Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust was formed from a partnership between the NAAF and CBABC to provide annual scholarships for Aboriginal persons to attend law schools in British Columbia. Read more.
National Aboriginal Day Silent Auction A Success
The 2009 National Aboriginal Day Silent Auction raised more than $3,000 towards the Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust Fund. Kudos to the Department of Justice of Canada, the UBC First Nations Legal Studies Program and the law firm of McDonald & Company who successfully partnered on this fundraiser at National Aboriginal Day 2009.
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 have changed and are changing the future of aboriginal persons in Canada and beyond.
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 were acknowledged at our Spring Launch event.
Contribute now by completing the Contribution Form.
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