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The program is part of a growing bid by universities and colleges to reach out to aboriginal youth, who have among the lowest participation rates in higher education. The program was financed by the U of T law faculty and York’s Osgoode Hall as well as grants from the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Law School Admission Council.
But outreach can work, said U of T law dean Mayo Moran. “Aboriginal youth are hungry for opportunities to learn about the law and post-secondary options; we received double the number of applicants for available spaces.”
Osgoode Dean Lorne Sossin said he hoped that letting students meet aboriginal lawyers and students and even Ontario Court of Appeal Judge Harry LaForme can help students picture themselves in law.
LaForme, a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, didn’t sugar-coat their prospects; he admitted it was lonely being an aboriginal judge but noted that being part of an oppressed minority has made him sensitive to injustice facing others — and helped him craft the landmark ruling in 2002 that legalized same-sex marriage.
Thanks to J.B.P. for sending this to us.
Turtle Talk 