Indigenous Practitioner Inclusion Initiative

ADRIC is committed to advancing the principles of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. As part of this long-term journey, we are excited to announce a fee waiver initiative designed to encourage Indigenous Practitioners (IP) to join and actively participate in ADRIC’s national Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) community. This initiative is spearheaded by the ADRIC Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Committee.

Objectives of the Initiative

Enhance inclusion and engagement of Indigenous ADR practitioners nationally while expanding the number of Indigenous Practitioners within ADRIC for a more diverse and representative organization.
Acknowledge and integrate non-colonial conflict resolution approaches within the framework of ADR and the processes for earning and granting designations.

The ADRIC Indigenous Practitioners (IP) Inclusion Initiative furthers ADRIC’s reconciliation efforts by encouraging Indigenous practitioners to pursue designation with ADRIC by removing fee-based barriers.

This is a step closer to facilitating greater inclusion and participation of Indigenous ADR practitioners in our organization on a national level.

Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

We call upon the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal– Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

We call upon law schools in Canada to require all law students to take a course in Aboriginal people and the law, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

We call upon the Government of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians, to jointly develop with Aboriginal peoples a Royal Proclamation of Reconciliation to be issued by the Crown. The proclamation would build on the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and the Treaty of Niagara of 1764 and reaffirm the nation-to-nation relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Crown. The proclamation would include, but not be limited to, the following commitments: iv. Reconcile Aboriginal and Crown constitutional and legal orders to ensure that Aboriginal peoples are full partners in Confederation, including the recognition and integration of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in negotiation and implementation processes involving Treaties, land claims, and other constructive agreements.

We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:ii. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.

FAQs

What is the Fee Waiver for?

Starting on November 18, 2024, ADRIC members who self-identify as Indigenous Practitioners who hold or are candidates for the ADRIC designations of Q Med or Q Arb, are eligible to apply to have their annual designation fees waived. Please note, this does not include the application fee to become a member.

When can I apply?

Applications will be open from November 18 to December 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET to align with ADRIC’s annual membership renewal end date of January 1, 2025.

Is there a limit to applications that will be approved?

Yes, there is an annual budgeted amount. If applications exceed available funding, a random draw will determine recipients.

How long is this fee waiver program in place?

This waiver will apply for a maximum of 3 years for each successful applicant, or until the applicant obtains a C. Med or C. Arb designation. Approved applicants must maintain ADRIC membership and membership with a regional Affiliate, meet professional development requirements, and hold insurance to keep their designation in good standing for continued fee waiver eligibility.

The fee waiver program may be offered to new applicants next year. ADRIC will monitor the fee waiver initiative and collect data on the numbers of IP’s included in ADRIC’s membership over time to help assess the effectiveness of inclusion efforts. The budget will also be reviewed annually.

If I don’t currently hold a designation but have applied for one or plan to apply, am I still eligible to participate?

Yes, if you have completed all the requirements for your designation and submitted your application by December 31, 2024, you will be eligible for consideration for a designation fee waiver starting in 2025.

Can I apply for a fee waiver for both the Q. Med and Q. Arb designations if I hold both?

The primary intent for this program is to provide a waiver for one designation per applicant. However, if funding permits, waivers for multiple designations may be considered.

Where can I get more information about the program?

You can contact ADRIC offices via our Administrative Coordinator at administrativecoordinator@adric.ca

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Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

FAQs

Corporate Members