January 25, 2010

An introduction to the LSS Aboriginal Legal Services program

The Legal Services Society (LSS) Aboriginal Legal Services program was developed in response to the Building Bridges report that came out in 2007. The key recommendations in Building Bridges were to increase Aboriginal representation at all levels of LSS; increase the number of lawyers with training specific to Aboriginal issues; improve communication and outreach to Aboriginal governments, communities, and organizations; and ensure Aboriginal participation in LSS policy and program development. Pamela Shields joined LSS in 2008 as the Aboriginal Services Program Manager and she continues to use Building Bridges as her road map for bridging the gaps in legal services available to Aboriginal people.

In working to implement the report’s recommendations, Pamela works with all LSS departments, and travels to various and diverse Aboriginal communities throughout BC to consult with them on their needs and strengths, and on opportunities to improve legal services. Pamela’s work with the Publication Services Department involves developing LSS publications that are accessible to Aboriginal people and targeted to their unique needs. Some examples of past Aboriginal Legal Services initiatives include developing the Aboriginal child protection wallet cards, and developing a poster that outlines the Aboriginal child protection process. Current initiatives include development of the Aboriginal community legal worker position for the Nanaimo Justice Access Centre and in Port Hardy; a Gladue report-writing pilot project; and facilitating a partnership between Williams Lake and the UBC First Nations Legal Clinic for CFCSA issues.

A key initiative right now for Aboriginal Legal Services is creating an expanded duty counsel program that regularly provides representation, advice, and assistance to Aboriginal clients in the following Aboriginal communities and organizations: First Nations Court in New Westminster (covers criminal and related CFCSA/family matters); Sheway in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (covers CFCSA/family matters); Port Hardy (covers CFCSA/family matters); and Williams Lake (covers criminal and CFCSA/family matters). The expanded duty counsel services will include advice in advance of court dates and will allow for multiple visits and ongoing assistance in order to divert and solve legal issues before they escalate. The aim of the expanded duty counsel initiative is to respond to the unique needs of each region and organization and to create a legal aid network that complements and improves access to LSS resources and links clients to their traditional territory, family, and community.

Stay tuned for more information on the great work of the Aboriginal Legal Services Department in future issues of ELAN.