Members of the U of T Law community participating in the Promise Auction Trivia, March 11 (photo courtesy of the Promise Auction committee)
The Faculty of Law’s annual promise auction is known for showcasing the interests and talents of students, staff and faculty – who offer up experiences, services, or lessons for bids – with all proceeds benefiting local Indigenous causes.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the annual student-run fundraiser. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the auction committee chose to raise funds through a virtual trivia night.
"At its core, the promise auction is an event that highlights and supports the incredible work Indigenous organizations are doing in Toronto," says Lilly Gates 3L, who has been a part of the organizing committee since her first-year at U of T Law. "But over time it has become more than just a fundraiser – it’s also an event that brings the law school community together."
The trivia night saw 32 teams and 121 participants gather online, March 11. Registrants were required to make an online donation to one of four Indigenous causes in order to participate. Dean Jutta Brunnée and Professors Brenda Cossman, Chris Essert, and Malcolm Thorburn formed the Administrivia team. The friendly contest was hosted by Professor Anthony Niblett, a former Jeopardy! champion, who stepped in to act as the night's Alex Trebek.
"Alas, no one can fill Alex Trebek's shoes. He was such a great man," says Professor Niblett, who adds the trivia night was great fun.
"I had a ball hosting. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. The student organizers did such a tremendous job finding an alternative way to raise funds. I was so impressed by them. And I'm so impressed with how much they raised for such worthy causes."
In total, the night raised $6,208 for four Indigenous organizations: Aboriginal Legal Services, Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Centre for Indigenous Theatre. The total raised this year well surpassed last year's total of more than $2,000.
"The promise auction was particularly impactful this year, coming at a time where the law school community was physically and socially distant and organizations needed extra support. I was amazed by the level of support from the community and it has been so rewarding seeing the event grow these past three years," says Gates.
The promise auction was created by alumnus Andrew Stobo Sniderman (JD 2014) and a group of friends at the law school. He says the auction gives the community an opportunity to get to know each other in unexpected and often meaningful ways.
"We were looking to create a fun way to build more community at the law school, which we surmised was full of people with strange, wonderful and largely-hidden talents. At the same time, we wanted to raise some awareness about Indigenous issues and collect a bit of money in the process," says Sniderman, who is currently working with Professor Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) on a book about a 140-year relationship between a town and a neighbouring reserve in Manitoba, and what it tells us about racism and reconciliation.
"I'm thrilled to see the event still running. Not only because it keeps raising money for fantastic charities advocating for Indigenous peoples, but also because it's a fun way for students, faculty and alumni to build bonds with each other outside the classroom. I always hoped that anyone who participated in the auction would come away smiling and feeling connected to a larger, caring community. And it seems that people enjoy it enough to keep the tradition alive – even in a modified form, during a pandemic!"
This year's student organizing committee includes, Gates, Brian Huang, Molly Campbell, Hannah Bourgeois, Adam Kouri, Jane Fallis-Cooper and Stephanie Rei.
"I'm ecstatic the promise auction will continue for years to come," says Gates.
