The CBABC Aboriginal Lawyers Forum recognizes the extraordinary recipients of this year’s ALF Special Contribution Award: Myrna McCallum and Douglas S. White III, KC. As part of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch, the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (ALF) facilitates social networking and mentoring for Indigenous lawyers and law students in BC.
“The Aboriginal Lawyers Forum Special Contribution Award allows us to recognize Indigenous individuals in the legal profession who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to Indigenous people in the field of law. We are proud to honour and celebrate the achievements of Douglas White and Myrna McCallum,” shared Randy Robinson, Chair of the CBABC Aboriginal Lawyers Forum.
The ALF Special Contribution Award recognizes a firm or individual's contribution to the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum’s goals of supporting and Indigenous people in the legal profession and enhancing their stature and influence for the betterment of their clients and communities.
Myrna McCallum is a true changemaker and a leading advocate for trauma-informed lawyering. She is the host of “The Trauma-Informed Lawyer” Podcast, which provides education on trauma-informed lawyering, cultural humility, vicarious trauma, vicarious resilience, and Indigenous intergenerational trauma. Myrna acts as a subject matter expert and consultant on trauma-informed policy and offers training courses on trauma-informed engagement for leaders, policy makers, police officers, lawyers and judges. She is the founding lawyer of the Miyo Pimatisiwin Legal Services in North Vancouver.
Douglas S. White III, KC, Kwulasultun, has been a force in championing issues that matter to First Nations people in British Columbia and across Canada. A former Councillor (2016-2020) and Chief (2009-2014) of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, he now serves Indigenous people through chairing the BC First Nations Justice Council. Alongside other Council members, Doug signed the first BC First Nations Justice Strategy with the Province of British Columbia, which aims to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples involved in the criminal justice system and the child welfare system.
The 2022 ALF Special Contribution Award was presented on Friday, November 25, 2022 at the 12th annual ALF Holiday Banquet. Additionally, select students from BC’s law schools were chosen to receive the ALF Student Awards, given to Indigenous law students who have shown consistent dedication to Indigenous people in the field of law. This year’s recipients were Chelsea Gladstone (Haida Nation) of UBC Allard Law, Tara-Lynn Wilson (Secwepemc Nation) of TRU Law and Jaxxen Wylie (Stz’uminus First Nation) of UVic Law.
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