LAA making time to reflect and honour residential school survivors, victims, communities on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Communications and Public Relations

September 17, 2021

Legal Aid Alberta offices will close early to the public on September 30, allowing our teams to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Most LAA services will continue as usual as courts in the province are open. Duty counsel lawyers, including the JP Bail team, will continue serving throughout the day. Lawyers with scheduled court appearances and client meetings are still attending the courts and providing access to justice for clients.

As well, LAA will be fully staffed the morning of September 30 but some services will be unavailable after 12 noon. Our telephone contact centre, will close at. 11:30 a.m. and will re-open as usual at 8:15 a.m. the following day.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides time for Canadians to honour Indian Residential School survivors, their families, and communities, and to “ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

Watch: Legal Aid Alberta honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

There are two ways we can serve and support our clients on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, said LAA President and CEO John Panusa.

“One is being here for them, as always, providing access to justice during some of the most troubling times of their lives,” he said. “The other is to make time for our staff to pause and recognize and better understand and reflect on the history of Canadian Indigenous peoples. We all must learn the history and their journey and the struggles and adversity their communities have and still experience. This mindfulness helps all of us better serve our all of clients, Indigenous or not, and to continue being a strong voice in the justice system.”

Supports

If you need support with respect to residential schools in Canada, contact the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Educational resources

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Girls and Women report

Truth and Reconciliation Resource Package

Native Counselling Services of Alberta

LAA Webinar: Indigenous people and the law: A guide to restorative justice and Indigenous courts

Global Morning News Edmonton
Ask A Lawyer: Indigenous Courts and restorative justice

Indigenous Canada: This free, 12-lesson course explores Indigenous history and contemporary issues facing Indigenous people.