Recommendation 6(d):
After obtaining the input of the Implementation Committee, the Ministry of the Attorney General provide broader and more comprehensive justice education programs for First Nations individuals, including,
(d) considering the feasibility of a program that would enlist students from Ontario law schools to participate in intensive summer education and legal assistance programs for First Nations representatives, dealing with the justice system generally and the jury system in particular, in consultation with Chiefs, and Court Services officials.
– First Nation Representation on Ontario Juries Report, February 2013
Overview
Further to recommendation 6(d) of Justice Iacobucci’s First Nation Representation on Ontario Juries Report, the Debwewin First Nation Jury Review Implementation Committee (Debwewin), in collaboration with the Indigenous Justice Division at the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and the University of Toronto are pleased to offer three 10-14 week summer internship placement for first or second year University of Toronto Law JD students during the months of May to August.
These internships are being offered to support the initiative of students interested in providing community education and legal assistance support to First Nations, Métis or Inuit (Indigenous) communities and community organizations in Ontario. There is a particular emphasis on providing public legal education and legal assistance support to rural and remote Indigenous communities. The successful applicants may propose a placement or work with the Ministry of Attorney General or law school staff to organize a placement. The student may work with the host organization and a local Indigenous community to develop a community-based justice project that relates in some way to the Iacobucci Report subject matter and findings.
U of T students will also be responsible for working collaboratively with other internship students within this program to develop and deliver at least two public legal education workshops to Indigenous community members on the role of the jury and other relevant issues for Indigenous people in relation to the justice system within Ontario.
The Debwewin Fellowships were introduced in response to the February 2013, report, First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries by the Honourable Frank Iacobucci. It is a collaboration between The Debwewin First Nation Jury Review Committee, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the University of Toronto. There are three (3) summer internship placements for 1L & 2L University of Toronto Law JD students during the months of May to August (12-14 weeks). These internships support students interested in providing community education and legal assistance support to First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities and community organizations within Ontario. Preference will be given to students who have experience working with Indigenous communities and Indigenous community organizations. The fellowship is worth $12,000 each.
There will be an info session in early January 2025. If you have any questions before then, please email the Indigenous Initiatives Office at iio.law@utoronto.ca.
