Gladue in Practice 2024

Course Chairs
Kory Wilson (Puglid) — Chair, BC First Nations Justice Council, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver
Amanda Carling — CEO, BC First Nations Justice Council, Sylix Okanagan Nation territory, Kelowna
Amandeep K. Sehmbi — Provincial Director of Gladue Services Department, BC First Nations Justice Council, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver

About the Course Chairs

Kory Wilson (Puglid), BSc. JD, Chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council and the BCFNJC Lead on Indigenous Women's Justice Plan, Youth & Education (Bundle D). She was jointly appointed by the First Nations Leadership Council.

She is also the Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships for British Columbia Institute of Technology. She created and led the launch of BCIT's Indigenous Vision. In June 2022, BCIT Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships was awarded the Gold Award for Excellence in Global Indigenous Education. She is co-chair of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Indigenous Affinity Group. Kory has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education, community development, and legal profession. She was instrumental in the creation of six open-sourced BC Campus Indigenization Guides. With a deep commitment to education, she knows innovative and creative solutions are a must to move Reconciliation into ReconciliACTION. Education and access to knowledge are key to move everyone forward. When people know better, they do better.

Amanda Carling (she/her) is Métis from Red River, Treaty One. She is a grateful guest on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan peoples with her partner Jesse, son Sam (5) and daughter Joy (2).

Amanda attended law school at the University of Toronto (JD, 2012) and articled with Innocence Canada. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2013. Amanda served as president of the board for Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto from 2014 until 2020. In 2016, she returned to the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law as Manager of the Indigenous Initiatives Office, and Adjunct Faculty, where she oversaw the institution's efforts related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action and taught a course on wrongful convictions.

Amanda joined the BC First Nations Justice Council in March 2022 and was called to the BC bar in May of the same year. She has since led the organization in a restructure, creating a 7-Bundle system to best tackle the 25 Strategies and 43 lines of action that the organization is responsible for. Amanda is proud to be leading the organization that is blazing a new trail for all those who have and continue to be victimized by Canada's racist laws and institutions.

Amandeep Sehmbi is the Director of Gladue Services with the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC). She has been working with the BCFNJC since 2021 in different capacities, first as a legal reviewer and later also as a Gladue Report Writer. She opened her own criminal law firm in 2021 and continues to practice criminal defence largely for marginalized clients. In her current role with BCFNJC, she will be working to help expand the Gladue Department and to ensure that all Indigenous peoples are able to receive quality and timely Gladue Reports.

Amandeep completed her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics at UBC in 2012, her Bachelor of Laws (Senior Status) from the University of Leicester, U.K. in 2015, and her Master of Laws (Common Law) from Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC in 2016. She was called to the BC bar in 2018 and has practiced exclusively in criminal defence and administrative driving offences. She takes pride in ensuring the best resolutions for her clients, which includes comprehensive probation plans and treatment and counselling options. It is her view that the systemic issues within the criminal justice system can be addressed, and that the disproportionate incarceration of Indigenous peoples can be reduced by a strong understanding and use of Gladue Reports.

Opening and Closing Prayers
Elder Delhia Nahanee, BSW — Cultural Advisor, Squamish Nation
Elder Dr. Latash Nahanee — Cultural Leader, Squamish Nation

Delhia Nahanee is from the Nisga'a and Squamish First Nations. She has been performing with the Chinook SongCatchers for the past 20 years. Many of the Nisga'a songs she presents come from her father, Chief Chester Moore, an Elder of the Nisga'a. A member of the Eagle clan, House of La'a, Delhia's family and clan nurtured her in the traditional teachings of her culture. Delhia has travelled overseas to perform in Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey. Onstage, she brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm; when she is not performing, Delhia enjoys helping her clan with feasts and ceremonies.

Latash Nahanee is a member of the Squamish Nation and lives in North Vancouver, BC. Latash has a BA from SFU (English Literature Major) and an Associate degree in Arts and Science from Capilano College.

Nahanee has experience and training in business management and owning a business. After graduating from university, Latash worked as a journalist for 10 years. He is the former CEO for the Native Communications Society of BC and the owner/manager of the public relations company All Write Productions. In June 2012, Latash launched Seven–Your Indigenous News Source, a tabloid national newspaper distributed across Canada. He is also the owner/manager of Latash Native Arts, a company that sells Native art products and provides cultural presentations and cross-cultural workshops.

As a life-long learner and practitioner of Squamish culture, he is proud to share his cultural locally and internationally. Latash has travelled overseas to Asia and Europe as a cultural ambassador for the Squamish Nation. He has performed in Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, and Italy. Latash travelled abroad to share traditional songs and dances at cultural festivals. His cultural teachings came from the example of his parents and community elders.

As a traditional artist, Latash enjoys wood sculpture, painting, glass etching, performing traditional music, and storytelling.

Latash also continues to perform with the Chinook SongCatchers. The core group is made up of his wife and daughters. They have been performing together for 23 years.

Latash has retired as a First Nations Support Worker in North Vancouver School District. He worked with First Nations students and non-aboriginal students from grades one to 12 providing cultural and academic support. He was also an itinerant speaker at various NV District schools on Truth and Reconciliation, colonialism, and First Nation art.

Maurice Nahanee's Squamish ancestral name is Latash. Thirty-four years ago the Nisga'a Killer Whale tribe in Gitwinksilkw in the Nass Valley adopted him and gave him the honourary name Gilx Buwx. Leiloa Baker gave him the Hawaiian name Kaipo. She is a Hawaiian from Hawaii and is married to Chief Lance Baker. Latash also has Hawaiian ancestry and descends from King Kamehameha’s family.

In 2024, Latash was awarded an honourary Doctor of Letters degree (Honoris Casa) from Capilano University for years of examplary service.

Planning Committee
Amanda Carling — CEO, BC First Nations Justice Council, Sylix Okanagan Nation territory, Kelowna
Anisa Jeanson — Project Manager, Gladue Services Department, BC First Nations Justice Council, Sylix Okanagan Nation territory, Kelowna
Amandeep K. Sehmbi — Provincial Director of Gladue Services Department, BC First Nations Justice Council, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver

Featured Speakers
The Honourable Chief Justice Leonard S. Marchand — Chief Justice of BC, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for BC, and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Yukon, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver
The Honourable Niki Sharma — Attorney General of BC, Ministry of Attorney General, Songhees territory, Victoria
The Honourable Judge Alexander Wolf — Provincial Court of BC, Nuu-Chah-Nulth territory, Surrey

About the Featured Speakers
The Honourable Leonard Marchand is the Chief Justice of BC, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for BC, and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Yukon. He was appointed Chief Justice on December 7, 2023. Chief Justice Marchand was appointed to the Provincial Court of BC on September 5, 2013. As a Provincial Court judge, Chief Justice Marchand had the privilege of presiding in Cknucwentn Court in Kamloops, where, with input from Elders, healing plans were developed for Indigenous offenders. Chief Justice Marchand was appointed to the Supreme Court of BC on National Indigenous People's Day, June 21, 2017. He was appointed to the Courts of Appeal for BC and of Yukon on March 24, 2021.

Prior to becoming a judge, Chief Justice Marchand articled and practised at Fulton & Company LLP in Kamloops from 1994 to 2013. His practice focused on the liability of public authorities and he appeared before all levels of court in BC and before many administrative tribunals. Chief Justice Marchand dedicated a substantial portion of his career as a lawyer to pursuing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, including by advancing civil claims on behalf of residential school survivors. In 2005, he helped negotiate and was a signatory to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which, at the time, was the largest class action settlement in Canadian history. He then served on the Oversight Committee for the Independent Assessment Process and the Selection Committee for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Chief Justice Marchand is Syilx and a member of the Okanagan Indian Band. He grew up in both Kamloops and Ottawa. After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering at UBC in 1986, he worked in the oil industry for several years. He then attended law school at the University of Victoria, graduating in 1994. He was called to the BC bar in 1995 and to the bars of the Yukon and Northwest Territories in 2006. Chief Justice Marchand divides his time between Kamloops and Vancouver with his wife, Laurie. Together their family also includes three grown children, their children's partners, and two much-loved grandchildren.

Niki Sharma was elected MLA for Vancouver – Hastings in 2020 and is the Attorney General. She is the vice-chair of the Planning and Priorities Committee, and a member of the Legislative Review and the Treasury Board. She is also the Deputy Caucus Chair and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profit, and the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Niki is a lawyer whose practice focused on representing Indigenous people, including residential school survivors. Niki has worked across BC as an advocate on climate policy and reconciliation. She has also been recognized for her work on combatting racism.

Niki was elected to the Board of Vancity Credit Union, where she served as vice-chair and chaired the Climate Justice Working Group. She also served as chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. In these roles, she worked to improve her community and make life better for people and our planet.

In 2017, Niki worked as a Senior Ministerial Assistant helping to deliver more childcare spaces for BC families.

Niki was raised in Sparwood, BC. A mother of two, she has lived in East Vancouver for over 15 years and has deep connections in the community.

Judge Wolf is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School and was appointed to the Provincial Court of BC in 2015.  He was the Legal Director of UBC's Indigenous Clinical experiential program of studies and managing lawyer of Vancouver's first Aboriginal Law Center. He was a civil litigator in residential school cases and a crown prosecutor for the Department of Justice.

Internationally, Judge Wolf worked in India on atrocity cases involving homicides and sexual assaults committed for cultural reasons and in a Tribal Legal Aid clinic in the Philippine's. He also spent two years in Fiji representing Indigenous Fijians at all levels of court in murder, infanticide, and treason matters.

He is called to the bar in Ontario, Yukon, NWT, BC, and Fiji. He has sat as a judge in a number of First Nations courts in BC and is an advocate of using Indigenous methods of Justice within the mainstream court setting.

Faculty
Halie Kwanxwa'loga Bruce — Cedar and Sage Law Corporation, Stó:lō territory, Cultus Lake
Christina J. Cook — Senior Policy Lawyer, BC First Nations Justice Council, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver
Brenda L. Edwards — Chair, BC Review Board, Esquimalt, Songhees territory, Vancouver
Cara M. Hunt — Cara Hunt Law, Quw’utsun Hwulmuhw, Cowichan Tribes territory, Duncan
Jennifer Isaac — Gladue Report Writer, BC First Nations Justice Council, Prince George Indigenous Justice Centre, Lheidli T'enneh territory, Prince George 
Kristina King — Crown Counsel, Prince George Crown Counsel Office, Lheidli T'enneh territory, Prince George
Talia B. Magder — Managing Lawyer, Criminal Law Services, Legal Aid BC, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver
Benjamin Ralston — Assistant Professor, University of Saskatchewan College of Law, Treaty 6 territory and Homeland of the Métis, Saskatoon
Jonathan Rudin — Special Projects Director, Aboriginal Legal Services, Huron-Wendat, Seneca, Mississaugas of the Credit territory, Toronto  
Darryl Shackelly — CEO, Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh territory, North Vancouver
Jackie Stelkia — Team Lead - Gladue Support Worker Program, BC First Nations Justice Council, Sylix Okanagan territory, Kelowna
E. Condesa Strain — Staff Lawyer, Vancouver Indigenous Justice Centre, BC First Nations Justice Council, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territory, Vancouver
Olivia Thomas Šinákamina Ská Wiŋ — Gladue Report Writer, BC First Nations Justice Council, Snuneymuxw territory, Nanaimo

Click here for full faculty bios

• how the Gladue analysis is applied through all aspects of the criminal process
• where a Gladue Report is appropriate and where it is not
• Gladue Reports vs. Gladue Submissions
• is there a right to a Gladue Report
• how does Gladue apply at trial

• colonial interference and connecting Gladue factors to person served
• land defending cases

• the foundational elements of the early Gladue process: what the BC First Nations Justice Council requires to initiate a report request, who is eligible to make such requests, where to go to request one, how to use GIMS, and what to expect after a request is placed
• Gladue Reports, Letters and Submissions
• GIMS walkthrough, Triage Policy, Reports and Letters: what is the difference? what happens if you cannot obtain a report or letter?
• information gathering

• even without a report, counsel and the court need to consider and can make submissions about Gladue factors
• trauma informed submissions

• Order in Council
• speaking in court
• bail and sentencing

• initial research and crucial information gathering
• the role of the Gladue report writer in delivering unbiased information to aid the court in understanding the role of a report and the impact of colonial interference on an individual
• community-led options for addressing recidivism, including Indigenous and restorative justice programs
• what does a Gladue report writer do?
• education and qualifications
• tool of the court
• non-biased
• trauma-informed practice

• plans have been implemented by judges
• interviews, preparing the client through resource enrollment, what can the client achieve before a court date?
• First Nation's, Metis and Inuit laws and legal traditions: increasing our knowledge base, and our ongoing efforts in providing communities with self-determination

• introduction to conditional sentences
• Shawn Johnny video testimonial