Law schools in British Columbia specifically set aside a significant number of placements for Aboriginal persons each year that remain vacant due, in part, to the inability of qualified candidates being able to fund their post graduate studies. Recognizing this inequity and with determination, BC’s legal community hopes this trust will help level the law school playing field.

Aside from the Government of Canada, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is the largest provider of Aboriginal scholarships and bursaries in Canada. To date NAAF has awarded more than $37-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 9,800 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. The CBABC is pleased and honoured to partner with NAAF on this very important initiative. The 2009/2010 academic year saw the first awarding to two students at the University of Victoria law school.

The following students received scholarships from the Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust for the 2009/2010 year:

• Caleb Behn, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law
• Mathais Sarrazin, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law

[posted September 29, 2010]