The IBA Congratulates Outstanding Members Dr. John Borrows and Professor Naiomi Metallic on Being Named Two of The Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers By Canadian Lawyer Magazine

For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 16, 2018

The IBA Congratulates Outstanding Members Dr. John Borrows and Professor Naiomi Metallic on Being Named Two of The Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers By Canadian Lawyer Magazine

OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association (IBA) congratulates Dr. John Borrows and Professor Naiomi Metallic on being awarded the prestigious title of Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

Dr. John Borrows was named as one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential in the Changemakers category. He is a world-renowned law professor at the University of Victoria. Dr. Borrows scope of research includes Indigenous governance and sovereignty, treaties, constitutional law and Indigenous law. He has authored many influental books and peer reviewed journal articles. Currently, he holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law School and the Nexen Chair in Indigenous Leadership at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He is a global leader in Indigenous law, with his work being used to help shape the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). John has appeared before parliament, most recently to provide his opinion regarding Bill C-262 – an Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Dr. Borrows is an esteemed IBA member and is also a member of the IBA’s Indigenous Peoples Counsel (IPC).  He is Anishinaabe/Ojibway and a member of the Chippewas of the Nawash from Cape Croker Indian Reserve in Ontario, Neyaashiinigmiing. Dr. Borrows is invaluable member of the IBA and to the Indigenous People of Canada. The importance of John’s work cannot be understated.

Professor Naiomi Metallic was named as one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential in the Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal Law category. She is an assistant professor of law at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. Profesor Metallic holds the Chancellor’s Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy. She is also the founding director of the Listuguj Aboqonmadultinech Community Foundation and member of the Council of Canadian Academics Expert Panel on Policing in Indigenous Communities. Professor Metallic clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada with Justice Michel Bastarache and was admitted to the Bar in 2008. She worked for almost a decade in Aboriginal law at Burchells LLP and has made her mark in academia. Her areas of research include Aboriginal law, Indigenous law, constitutional law, administrative law, equality and human rights law and diversity in legal education, the legal profession and the judiciary.

Professor Metallic is a respected IBA member and is currently serving on the IBA’s Board of Directors. She has contributed invaluable insight to the IBA and we are fortunate to rely on Professor Metallic for her expertise and passion.

Professor Metallic grew up in the Mi’gmaq community of Listuguj Fist Nation located in the Gespe’gewa’gi district of Mi’kma’ki on the Gaspé Coast of Quebec. Professor Metallic speaks English, French and some Mi’gmaq. She is the daughter of a famous Mi’gmaw linguist, Emmanuel Nagugwes Metallic. In the book Living Treaties edited by Marie Battiste, Professor Metallic authors a chapter called ‘Becoming a Language Warrior,’ in which she highlights the importance of Indigenous language rights and discusses how legal arguments may be used to further these rights. Her work honours the legacy of her father and her Mi’gmaw ancestors. Professor Metallic’s work contributes to reconciliation and bettering the lives of Indigenous Peoples.

The Indigenous Bar Association is a national association comprised of Indigenous lawyers (practicing and non-practicing), legal academics and scholars, articling clerks and law students, including graduate and post-graduate law students. We are mandated to promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada and the reform of laws and policies affecting Indigenous peoples.

For further information contact Scott Robertson, President of the Indigenous Bar Association at srobertson@indigenousbar.ca and 705-325- 0520 or visit our website at www.indigenousbar.ca.