New Indigenous-led legal centre opens in Kingston

The idea was conceived by a student at Queen's Law and it is in partnership with KNCLN.

There is new Indigenous-led law firm opening up in Kingston.

Queen's University Faculty of Law and the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest are partnering to launch the KNCLN Indigenous Legal Centre.

The idea came about from a first-year law student at Queen's.

Constance Carrière-Prill says there was a need for this type of legal service in Kingston.

Carrière-Prill was working as executive director at KNCLN before enrolling in the Queen's Law program.

She says there has never been a law firm in Canada that represents Indigenous people like what is being done here.

Students and faculty at Queen's Law will be working together in offering legal support for Indigenous clients in areas such as family law, housing, and human rights.

Carrière-Prill notes that Indigenous people continue to face challenges in the Canadian legal system.

KILC was able to receive funding from the Law Office of Ontario to the tune of a $179,000 grant for a two-year pilot project.

Carrière-Prill says this would go into research into best practices for establishing a community-based Indigenous legal services centre. 

The funding also covers the hiring of an articling student, and development of the KILC business plan.

Queen's Law said in a news release that they are committed through the partnership to expand access to justice for Indigenous people and creating a respectful, safe place for legal and life support in Kingston.

Story by Ken Hashizume