In February 2013, the First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries Report, authored by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci, was released. Justice Iacobucci recommended, inter alia, the creation of an intensive summer education program that would see Ontario law students working on justice issues in and with Indigenous communities. In 2014 the Debwewin Summer Law Student Program was launched and, in the years since, has grown to a permanent program that sees 21 law students from all seven Ontario law schools placed in Indigenous communities across the province - from Moose Cree to Akwesasne and many places in between - each summer.
On January 27, 12:30-2 pm, U of T Law students are invited to have lunch and learn more about this exciting opportunity as well as the work of the Indigenous Justice Division (IJD) at the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). Presenters will include IJD lawyers as well as alumni of the Debwewin Summer Program. Please join us!
The Debwewin program is a collaboration between MAG and the Faculty of Law, with support from the Law Foundation of Ontario. We are grateful to our partners for their support!
Speaker Bios
Kirsten Manley-Casimir
Kirsten Manley-Casimir is currently the Acting Legal Director with the Indigenous Justice Division, Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario. In her PhD dissertation, Kirsten advocates for a relational approach to the duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal Peoples under section 35 of the Constitution Acts. She articulates four principles as the basis of a relational approach - respect, recognition, reciprocity and reconciliation.
Kirsten has taught at Osgoode Hall Law School and Queen's University as an adjunct professor in courses focused on Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Legal Systems. Previously, Kirsten worked as a Research Lawyer with the Law Commission of Ontario on law reform projects focused on disability law, elder law and the rights of precarious workers and the disparate impacts of these areas of law on Indigenous Peoples. She also worked as Counsel at the Law Foundation of Ontario. Kirsten has publications in a number of peer-reviewed journals on various topics in Aboriginal law and education law.
Caroline Jacobson
Caroline Jacobson is a citizen of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation and is Legal Counsel with the Indigenous Justice Division, Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario. While in law school, Caroline participated in the Debwewin Summer Law Program where she completed her internship with Rama First Nation. She also participated in Osgoode’s Aboriginal Intensive Program and served as Vice-Chair of the Osgoode Indigenous Students’ Association. Prior to joining the Indigenous Justice Division, Caroline articled with the Law Division at the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.
Event Contact
Amanda Carling Manager, Indigenous Initiatives - amanda.carling@utoronto.ca or 416-978-2583
