Law program breaks barriers

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It was a long, hard haul. Some students believed that they shouldn't have been there, that they hadn't earned the right to attend law school.

But their determination proved otherwise - to themselves and others. And the first graduating class of the University of Alberta's Indigenous Law Program gathered June 12 to congratulate each other on completing this sometimes overwhelming task.

Six students, five men and one woman, were honored at a reception at the university's Faculty club. As the first graduating class, they were seen as proof that the Indigenous Law Program has merit.

Dan Goodleaf, federal Deputy of Indian and Northern Affairs, took time out of his busy schedule to say a few words at this historic occasion.

Goodleaf reminisced about his days in the post secondary system. While attending two separate universities, Goodleaf discovered he was an unique individual. He was the only Native student in his programs.

"Today we have six graduates and that is quite a success," he told the group and their families. "Native success stories are out there and the untold stories must be told," he continued, berating main stream media for skirting Aboriginal success stories in favor of negative ones.

Tim Christian, Dean of the Faculty of Law, set up the Indigenous law program three years ago to address concerns on the lack of Indigenous lawyers in the province. Larry Chartrand was brought in to act as the program's director.

The first problem Chartrand had to solve had to do with admission requirements. Native students weren't making the same marks on the LSAT exams as were their non-Native counterparts. This was particularly due to cultural differences, said Chartrand. To solve this, requirements for entering the law program under the Indigenous category were made less stringent. Students could get in with slightly lower LSAT marks, but were often asked to take an eight week program on Native Legal Studies at the University of Saskatchewan as a condition of their acceptance.

Lower requirements opened the doors for students but Chartrand saw that getting them in was only half the battle. Once in the program students had to fight on the same ground as everyone else in the law program. Law school can be an alienating experience.

Many students found themselves away from their family and friends. With no support system in place, the chance of dropping out, felt Chartrand, would be a reality.

The Indigenous Law Program offered its students support serviced ranging from helping with personal needs, such as finding housing and daycare, to helping in academic areas, such as offering tutoring help.

"We've all been through some tough times," said Chartrand. "And we should acknowledge that, but the people who came through this program worked it out. Now we have six new lawyers and these lawyers will make a difference."

The proud graduates, Troy Chalifoux, Carolyn Buffalo, Brad Enge, Authur Tralenberg, Brian Wigger, and Chris Lafleur, spoke highly of the support they received in the program.

"It's been wild. It's been difficult, but it's been a hoot," said Chalifoux. "There is no doubt that the extra help from the program pushed us on."

The future for these graduates looks bright. Chalifoux and Lafleur have been given articling positions with the Justice Department and Tralenberg and Wigger have positions at law firms in Edmonton. Enge, a former RCMP officer, plans on returning to that organization. Buffalo plans on taking a year off before pursuing her career further. The number of Aboriginal law students at the University of Alberta has grown to 18 this year, with an additional 13 students starting the Indigenous Law program this fall.