THE Law Society of BC (LSBC) on Thursday announced the results of its annual election of benchers who govern the society, noting that the outcome is historic for Indigenous representation within this vital part of British Columbia’s justice system.

For the 137-year history of the Law Society, only two Indigenous lawyers have ever been elected as benchers. However, when the election results were released earlier this week, that number took a massive leap forward, with five Indigenous lawyers successful in their run to join the Law Society’s governing body.

“We’re thrilled to see this outcome and congratulate each Indigenous bencher for bringing their valuable skillset and lived experience to this role and look forward to working with them to advance the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy,” said Doug White, Q.C, chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) — an organization mandated to transform the justice system and reduce the over-representation of incarcerated Indigenous people in the province.

The role of elected benchers is to act as directors of the Law Society of BC and as regulators of the profession. With 19 openings available, Indigenous lawyers Brian Dybwad (member and Hereditary Chief of the Gitxsan Nation), Katrina Harry (Shuswap), Lindsay LeBlanc (Métis), Georges Rivard (Métis), and Kelly Russ (Haida) were elected.

“While our people have been significantly overrepresented in BC’s jails, we have, at the same time, been vastly underrepresented in the main leadership and governing institutions of the justice system,” said Rosalie Yazzie, Vice Chair of the BCFNJC.

“This election outcome charts a different course – one that corrects the exclusion of our voices and Indigenous perspectives. Within the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, we call specifically for more Indigenous representation in the legal profession and this election has helped us take a significant and progressive step forward.”