Indigenous Voices: Truth and Time event commemorates 10 years of the TRC

To commemorate a decade since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Final Report and 94 Calls to Action, Tamara (Baldhead) Pearl, assistant professor and the T.W. Lawlor QC Research Chair, and the Faculty of Law hosted Indigenous Voices: Truth and Time — a gathering that brought together students, leadership and community members to reflect on 10 years of progress, honour Indigenous voices and examine the ongoing work of reconciliation within the legal profession.

The evening began with an opening prayer led by Elder Bruce Lee from Ermineskin Cree Nation. The event was emceed by Brittany Bitternose and Ella Thomson, co-chairs of the Indigenous Law Students' Association, while opening remarks were delivered by Pearl, alongside featured speaker MLA Brooks Arcand-Paul and Koren Lightning, KC, '07 LLB, who delivered the keynote address.

Joined by various faculty across campus, including Dr. Chris Andersen, dean, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Kisha Supernant, professor and director of the Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology, as well as representatives from First Peoples’ House, the evening offered a conversational space to reflect on systemic progress, community agency and the road ahead.

"I am heartened by the recognition that so many Albertans support reconciliation beyond just wearing an orange shirt once a year, and that we are willing to put in the work with love, respect and truth,” says Arcand-Paul.

A central highlight of the event was the presentation of Recognition of Advocacy Awards honouring three community leaders: Justice Rosemary Nation, ‘76 LLB, who received the Indigenous Service Award for establishing low-barrier emergency funding for Indigenous law students; Lightning, honoured with the Service to the Legal Profession Award for a decade of leadership in reconciliation and legal education; and Arcand-Paul, shadow minister for Indigenous Relations, who received the Public Service Award his service to the public in promoting and advocating for reconciliation and Indigenous issues, since his election in 2023.

"It was important to commemorate the decade since the release of the TRC’s Final Report by gathering as a community to listen to Indigenous voices while reflecting on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” says Pearl. “I am profoundly grateful to Elder Bruce Lee, Justice Nation, Koren and Brooks for their powerful words and to be able to honour the speakers' incredible service to reconciliation through education and advocacy.”

Since the release of the TRC, the faculty has actively integrated the 94 Calls to Action into its institutional culture. By removing systemic barriers and expanding Indigenous representation, the faculty continues to lead meaningful educational reform. Key initiatives include: mandated coursework in Indigenous rights, legal traditions, residential school history and treaty law; supporting research through the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge and more recently, the appointment of Pearl as the T.W. Lawlor QC Research Chair; creating spaces, such as the Indigenous Voices event, for public reflection alongside leaders in the community.

"Reconciliation is not a stepping stone or a funding formula, or a check-the-box task; it has to live within us every day,” noted Lightning in her keynote address. “It is about the lives of real people and how we give dignity to those lives. Standing in a room full of amazing people united for this cause gives us hope and reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Grounded in this decade-long commitment, the Indigenous Voices: Truth and Time event served as both a powerful reflection on progress made and a reaffirmation of the work that lies ahead.

“We are able to be here because we stood on the shoulders of the giants who paved our path,” adds Lightning. “Now it is our turn to be those giants for our children, and for those children who never made it home."