March 10, 2023    |    9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   |   Law Society Classroom

In-person or Video Webinar

Jointly presented by The Law Society of Manitoba
The Court of King’s Bench Judges and
The Provincial Court Judges

 
January 1, 2023 marked three years since the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families came into force, bringing about significant changes to how courts and agencies deal with child protection cases involving Indigenous children. It is timely to devote this year’s program to meaningful discussion about the everyday impact the Act has had on child protection law practice, and to the questions that remain about many aspects of the Act’s application.

 
We are delighted that Kimberly Stonechild will be here to share her perspective as a Saskatchewan practitioner, in particular the steps being taken in that province with regard to cultural continuity and the development of cultural plans for families. The program will offer plenty of local perspective as well with a panel of Manitoba lawyers and judges participating in a practical and interactive discussion about commonly experienced issues with the Act. Topics will include: priority placement; notice and confidentiality; and, the identification of and service on IGBs (Indigenous Governing Bodies).

 
You will also hear insider perspective from Earl Stevenson and Hafeez Khan about the development of Peguis First Nation’s Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act, the first Indigenous-created federal Act to take effect in Manitoba and one of the very first Nations in Canada to enter into a tripartite coordination agreement with the Province and the Government of Canada. You will hear about:
 

• the steps taken to get to this point;
• key issues considered at the Attorney General of Québec, et al. v. Attorney General of Canada, et al.
  
  (Quebec reference on An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families SCC File 40061)
• the day to day implications both in the courtroom and for the members of Peguis First Nation; and,
• commentary on the future vision for the co-existence of federal legislation with the provincial CFSA.

 
Presenters Include:

Justice Kaye Dunlop, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, Family Division
Judge Michael Clark, Provincial Court of Manitoba
Luke Bernas, Cochrane Saxberg
Darryl Buxton, Myers LLP
Desiree Dorion, Parkland Collaborative Legal Options LLP
Crystal Kennedy, Legal Aid Manitoba
Hafeez Khan, Law Corporation
Debra Poskar, Winnipeg Child and Family Services
Jessica Saunders, Saunders DeLaronde Law
Earl Stevenson, Peguis Child and Family Services
Kimberly Stonechild, Lavoie Stonechild

There are limited spots available in the Law Society classroom so be sure to register early if you wish to attend in-person.

Registration includes 30 day access to the video recording of the program.