The Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq (IB&M) Programme at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Law School is celebrating a 15th anniversary.
The 1989 Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution recommended an increase in the representation of Blacks and Mi'kmaqs in the legal profession. ÊThis was based on the Commission's understanding of systemic racism and barriers to obtaining a legal education, as well as the recognition that diversity in the practice of law is a key prerequisite to eliminating discrimination in Canada.
Â鶹´«Ã½ remains the only Canadian law faculty to fully realize the recommendations of the Commission as they pertain to Indigenous Black and Aboriginal students. ÊEach year, the Indigenous Blacks and Mi'kmaq (IB&M) Programme actively recruits students from these communities to join the first year class. ÊIn turn, the students give back by mentoring high school and undergraduate students with a view to inspiring them to follow a similar academic path.
Fifteen years later, we celebrate over 80 law school alumni who have gone on to honourable appointments in all areas of the legal profession. ÊOn January 21, 2005 we welcome them home with an Alumni Reunion Weekend Celebration.
Of note is a panel discussion on Friday.
 | Joe B. Marshall (Class of '93) is the Executive Director of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians and was a founding member of the organization. He is also an Associate Professor of Mi'kmaq Studies at the University College of Cape Breton and a teacher for the Eskasoni Training and Education Centre. Recently, he was selected by the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs to join the staff of the "Kwilmuk Mawaklusuaqn", Negotiation Office as one of two Senior Mi'kmaq Advisors on constitutional rights. Mr. Marshall is a member of the IB&M Programme Advisory Council. |
 | Gordon Blackmore (Class of '95) currently practices with the firm of Morris Bureau in Halifax. Mr. Blackmore articled in Ontario where he operated his own firm prior to returning to Halifax. He is the former Associate Director of the IB&M Programme at Â鶹´«Ã½ Law School and he is a member of the Beechville Residents Association. |
 | Heather A. McNeill (Class of '94) is a Staff Lawyer at Â鶹´«Ã½ Legal Aid Service. Ms. McNeill articled with Burchell, MacAdam & Hayman and is a former Human Rights Commissioner. She previously held the position of Director of Legal Services at the Native Council of Nova Scotia and currently sits on the Boards of Directors for the Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre and the National Aboriginal Health Organization. |
 | Darlene Lamey (Class of '02) is Counsel with the Department of Justice (Canada) in the Civil Litigation and Advisory section. While studying at Â鶹´«Ã½ Law School she was President of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Black Law Students Association and she later articled with the Federal Department of Justice.  Ms. Lamey is currently a member of the Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities and the Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Peoples (both of the Department of Justice) and she is the (elected) Regional Representative for the Association of Justice Counsel. |