The Law Society works to ensure that the legal profession is a just, equitable and welcoming place for Indigenous lawyers and law students.
The Law Society has identified the retention of Indigenous lawyers in the profession as a key objective. Indigenous lawyers represent only 2.6 per cent of the profession while Indigenous peoples represent 5 per cent of the total population in BC.
The Law Society offers a $20,000 scholarship for Indigenous students enrolled in full-time legal studies in British Columbia. The Indigenous Scholarship aims to enhance the representation of Indigenous lawyers in British Columbia by supporting their legal education. For information on applying for the scholarship, or to read about the most recent recipients, go to Indigenous Scholarship.
A report by the Aboriginal Law Graduates Working Group recommended action and policies that the Law Society might adopt or endorse to overcome barriers facing Aboriginal lawyers and law students: read Addressing Discriminatory Barriers Facing Aboriginal Law Students and Lawyers.