Over the last few months, we have witnessed universities across the country beginning the necessary process of developing procedures to protect Indigenous-specific positions to address false claims to Indigenous identity. Carleton is among those institutions that are committing to collaboratively developing an Indigenous-specific hiring policy to protect positions intended to bring the richness of Indigenous lived experience and knowledge in to our classrooms.
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With support from Indigenous leadership on campus, Carleton will implement a consultation process. This process will unfold from January - June 2023. The objective is to make the consultation process accountable, accessible and inclusive. We have worked with Indigenous legal experts who have guided us in developing this process and the questions.
Carleton has engaged the expertise and guidance of three respected Indigenous legal authorities, recognizing that the development of this policy must be Indigenous-led and informed by Indigenous communities and legal experts.
Alisa Lombard is a lawyer working in matters relating to Indigenous-Crown relations, particularly specific claims, human rights and reproductive rights, and Indigenous governance issues. She is a member of the Ontario and Saskatchewan Law Societies and is completing an LLM where her research focuses on systemic reform in health to hold wrongdoers in the medical profession to account using constitutional instruments. Alisa is a mom to two young girls, who she shares with her husband Allan LaPlante, a citizen of the Nehiyewak Nation (originates from English River First Nation and Moosomin First Nation, SK), and is a devoted citizen of the Mi’kmaq Nation (originates from Elsipogtog First Nation in NB).
Marilyn Poitras is a Michif consultant and advisor and was most recently Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Graduating from law at the University of Saskatchewan and with a master’s degree from Harvard Law School, she developed an expertise in constitutional law and was also a faculty member in the College of Law. Marilyn has significant experience in self-government and treaty implementation and works with Elders and Knowledge Keepers across Canada learning Indigenous legal traditions as well.
Elizabeth Zarpa is an Inuk lawyer from Nunatsiavut. Throughout her legal career, she has specialized in criminal defense with predominantly Indigenous clients from northern and rural communities. She represented Inuit at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and is currently researching how Inuit legal orders can inform legislation development in the institutions that govern Inuit.