Law Foundation’s Indigenous Advisory Circle

Established by statute to fund legal education, legal research, legal aid, law reform and law libraries, the Law Foundation of BC pursues a mission of investing in work that empowers people and strengthens communities through funding, collaborative relationships and shared learning. Those intentions informed the creation of the Foundation’s first Indigenous Advisory Circle, which is mandated: 

 “To advise the Foundation on any of its work and particularly that which has a pronounced impact on Indigenous peoples and communities. The Indigenous Advisory Circle will guide the Foundation in its efforts to build a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples in a way that is respectful, reciprocal, accountable and trust based.” 

The Indigenous Advisory Circle is composed of a diverse group of Indigenous people from communities across British Columbia, and includes representation of a wide spectrum of professions, educational backgrounds and life experiences. The IAC’s membership includes knowledge keepers, language speakers, young people, parents, grandparents, Elders, legal and philanthropic professionals, practicing lawyers and legal scholars. 

The IAC’s work is rooted in reciprocity and deeply relational ways of being. Meetings are intentional, participatory and often begin and end in ceremony. Space is created to share stories, to build trust with one another and to reflect on the meaning and intent of the work. The Foundation and the IAC remain committed to stewarding their partnership in an intentional way while approaching the work with humility, courage and a willingness to learn. 

The Foundation began collaborating with the IAC on an Indigenous Justice-focused grant opportunity at the Circle’s inaugural in-person meeting in late 2023. This gathering led to the creation of the Weaving Justice Grants Call: a large-scale grant opportunity that invited Indigenous-led proposals that would support Indigenous communities to engage with their own laws in ways that would create connection and healing. This was combined with a second opportunity also developed in consultation with the IAC but with a focus shifted toward community justice programming. Both opportunities would provide funding for projects spanning up to four years with grants up to $1,000,000 each. 

Through immersive consultation, Advisors shaped the purpose, priorities, eligibility, and scale of the funding for the Weaving Justice Grants Call. While the IAC contributed to the practical development of the grant opportunity, they also contributed to the Foundation’s learning and engagement with concepts held within it. In the summer of 2024, the IAC joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors for a full day, creative workshop session intended to build relationships and shared understanding around some key concepts that sat at the heart of the grant opportunity. Ultimately, by the end of 2024, this work led to a total of $22.9 million in adjudicated grants that would advance Indigenous Justice priorities across the province over the next four years. 

While the IAC contributed deeply to the development and implementation of the Weaving Justice and Community Justice Grant Calls, their mandate is not limited to scoping, assessing or advising on grantmaking processes. The IAC’s mandate is more expansive. Because the IAC’s mandate covers any aspect of the Law Foundation’s activities—from grant design to policy development, strategy and operations—the IAC’s perspectives can be woven into the Foundation’s decision making at all levels. In practice, this mandate supports the IAC to shape priorities, respond to emerging issues and ensure that respect, reciprocity, accountability and trust remain at the forefront of the Foundation’s work. 

In its first 20 months of operation, the Foundation’s Indigenous Advisors have already demonstrated how a values-based approach, thoughtful inquiry and genuine commitment to making a difference have elevated the Law Foundation of BC’s statutory and strategic objectives in a meaningful way. The Foundation’s partnership with the IAC is an enduring commitment: one that will continue to shape the Foundation’s broader pursuit of a future where systems of law and justice support all people to live and thrive in dignity. 

More information on the Indigenous Advisory Circle is available online. If you would like to be made aware of future opportunities related to the IAC, please go to the Contact Us page on our website, scroll down and join our mailing list by checking off “Indigenous Justice Grants” in the form.