Cultivating Indigenous-Informed Legal Practices 2025

Course Chair
Halie Kwanxwa'logwa Bruce — Barrister & Solicitor, Mediator, Cedar & Sage Law, Chilliwack

About the Course Chair
Halie (Kwanxwa'logwa) Bruce is a Kwakwaka'wakw, Tlingit, and Scottish/Canadian mother, wife, lawyer, mediator, sometimes soccer coach, and Sixties Scoop Survivor. She was called to the BC bar in 2008. Her practice areas include Aboriginal law, family law, child welfare, and Indigenous laws and governance. Halie also devoted part of her practice to Indigenous restorative justice initiatives, including writing s. 718.2(e) Reports for Indigenous people at bail, sentencing, and appeal courts in BC.

Before entering the legal profession, Halie served as the Executive Director of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. As the Joint Policy Council Coordinator, she advocated for Aboriginal Title and Rights and Treaty Rights, including the Rights of Indigenous peoples generally and Indigenous children specifically. She has extensive experience in administration, management, staff, and employment issues, and has worked with Indigenous communities from across BC, Canada and internationally, to explore traditional mechanisms for resolving various land, resource, social policy, and internal community disputes.

In 2014, Halie co-founded the law firm Cedar & Sage Law, with a focus on Indigenous laws, Alternative and Traditional Indigenous Dispute Resolution mechanisms, and peacemaking protocols. She has extensive training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution through CLEBC, Justice Institute of BC, and the Social Justice Mediation Institute.

She has taught, coached, and facilitated courses on Gladue Principles and Reports, Indigenous Child Welfare, and Indigenous and Trauma-Informed practices. She has been a frequent speaker, panelist, and co-chair on various Indigenous issues at CLEBC, including on s. 718.2(e) reports, Access to Justice for Children, Indigenous Child Welfare, and Anti-racism and Diversity issues in the legal profession.

She is a former Board member of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation, and the BC First Nations Justice Council, and served two terms as a part-time member of the Parole Board of Canada.

Halie currently devotes part of her practice to facilitating workshops on Intercultural competency, Safety and Indigenous-Informed interviewing, processes, and best practices for Administrative Tribunals in Canada.

• welcome and introductions
• overview of course objectives and agenda
• establishing ground rules for respectful dialogue and sharing

• examination of historical and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities
• discussion of the impact of these experiences on current legal practices

• definition and importance of intercultural competency in the legal profession
• concepts: cultural recognition, empowerment, collaboration, trust-building

• principles of a strength-based approach in legal practice
• case studies highlighting successful Indigenous-informed practices
• facilitated group discussion on personal and professional experiences

• discussion of therapeutic justice and its relevance in legal contexts
• exploration of cultural humility and its application in client relationships

• strategies for building trust and rapport with Indigenous clients and communities
• overview of empowerment and collaboration techniques

• participants will work in small groups on selected case studies
• focus on collaborative problem-solving and peer discussions about best practices and challenges

• open dialogue 'In the Round' to share insights from case studies and personal experiences
• discussion on how to integrate Indigenous-informed practices into everyday legal work
• wrap-up of key takeaways and lessons learned
• closing remarks In the Round