November 25. 2009

LSS reaches out to more remote communities

As part of our ongoing commitment to reach out to advocates in the more remote communities, LSS has planned six regional one-day workshops between now and March 2010. These provide advocates and community workers with information about child protection, family law, and legal services, while giving LSS staff the opportunity to meet with the community and discuss their issues and concerns.

The first workshop was held at the end of September in Fort St. John. Legal Services Society Fieldworker Fran Auckland partnered with the Fort St. John's Women's Resource Centre to organize this workshop.

We were pleased to welcome 22 community workers from different community groups to this session. Participants came from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Buick Creek, Rose Prairie, and Hudson Hope. Fran Auckland, Wayne Plenert, Pamela Shields, Randolph Smyth, Debbie O'Leary, and Tracy Knight were the speakers, and all participants benefited from their knowledge. Sessions held included "First Nations Court," "Understanding Gladue (Aboriginal case) reports and submissions for Aboriginal people," "Family mediation," "Separation agreements," and "Legal process for child apprehension for parents and grandparents." With both new and seasoned advocates at the workshop, the feedback was positive and participants indicated that the training was valuable and useful in the work they do.

While in Fort St. John, Fran and LSS Aboriginal Services Program Manager Pamela Shields had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Halfway River First Nations in Wonowon and the Blueberry River First Nations in Buick Creek. Pamela and Fran came back with recommendations and ways to address some of their concerns. One of these recommendations was to pilot a training workshop using online conferencing on the reserves. Pamela was also invited by the bands to do a presentation on First Nations Court at a Treaty 8 Tribal Council meeting. Most of the chiefs in this region would be at that presentation. Another recommendation was to have family law workshops on circuit court where there are no resources.

Our next regional workshop is scheduled for Friday, November 27 in Nelson. This workshop will cover child protection and family law issues as well as other resources and services we provide. If you are interested to attend, please send us an e-mail.