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Call for Volunteers – Fundraising Committee
The Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust was successfully launched in 2008 by a very dedicated group of volunteers. All CBABC members are asked to consider becoming the next wave of volunteers to take this to the $500,000 needed for the endowment.
The CBABC elected member Arlene Henry, QC was a driving force behind the team and was supported by an excellent and diverse group of fundraisers. To date the fund stands at $166,834 which includes the matching funds of $75,000 from the Law Foundation of British Columbia. We need your help.
The goal is to create a $500,000 endowment that will carry forward with our partners, 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 and the University of Victoria.
The Executive Committee encourages you to participate in this valuable initiative.
CBABC members interested in being considered for this appointment should send a letter of interest and supporting documents with relevant skills and background for consideration by the Executive Committee.
Please send your expression of interest by October 8, 2008 to:
Caroline Nevin
Executive Director
Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
10th Floor - 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5T3
Email: cnevin@bccba.org
Fax: 604.669.9601
TF Fax: 1.877.669.9601 |
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).
 National Aboriginal Day Silent Auction A Success
On June 25, 2008, the National Aboriginal Day Silent Auction raised more than $2,000 towards the newly launched Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust Fund. Kudos to the Department of Justice of Canada and the UBC First Nations Law Students Association who successfully partnered on this fundraiser at National Aboriginal Day 2008.
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. |