A2J Week
Connecting People. Strengthening Justice.
A2J Week 2025
Access to Justice Week 2025, held October 27–31 under the theme “10 Years Forward: Expanding Justice, Embracing Inclusion,” brought together legal professionals, academics, artists, and community advocates for virtual panels on making justice more accessible and inclusive. The week featured four webinars: Making Rights Real, on reducing barriers in legal practice; AI and Access to Justice, on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence; Access to Justice through Art and Media, on storytelling and media as tools for empowerment; and Sentencing Circles, Gladue and IRCA Reports, on culturally informed sentencing and addressing systemic inequities, highlighting innovative approaches to justice in Manitoba.
Access to Justice Week 2025: Making Rights Real - A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services explored practical ways lawyers can make legal services more accessible and inclusive. The panel was moderated by Janell Jackson and featured Darrin Davis, Laurelle Harris, K.C., Dr. Tess Sheldon, Dawn Steliga, and Peter Tonge, who shared strategies for reducing barriers and improving equity in legal practice.
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services opened Access to Justice Week 2025 on October 27, exploring practical ways for lawyers to provide accessible and equitable legal services. Moderated by Janell Jackson (Law student, University of Manitoba & MBA Equality Section Co‑Chair), the panel featured Darrin Davis, Laurelle Harris, K.C., Dr. Tess Sheldon, Dawn Steliga, and Peter Tonge, who shared strategies for reducing barriers and improving inclusion in legal practice.
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services
Access to Justice through Art and Media (Oct. 29) explored how creative mediums like podcasts, murals, and graphic novels can educate and empower communities about their rights. Moderated by Quinn Saretsky, the panel featured Jessie Canard, Allison Fenske, Marc Kruse, and Kirsten Wurmann, who shared insights on using art and media to make justice more accessible.
Making Rights Real: A Vision for Providing Accessible Legal Services
Access to Justice through Art and Media (Oct. 29) explored how creative mediums like podcasts, murals, and graphic novels can educate and empower communities about their rights. Moderated by Quinn Saretsky, the panel featured Jessie Canard, Allison Fenske, Marc Kruse, and Kirsten Wurmann, who shared insights on using art and media to make justice more accessible.
Sentencing Circles, Gladue and IRCA Reports
Sentencing Circles, Gladue and IRCA Reports (Oct. 30) explored how Gladue Reports, Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), and sentencing circles provide cultural and personal context in sentencing to address the over‑representation of Indigenous and racialized communities. Moderated by Wendy Martin White, K.C., the panel featured Associate Chief Judge Lee Ann Martin, Judge Jerilee Ryle, Melissa Brown, Dr. Patrina Duhaney, and Zilla Jones, who shared insights on these culturally informed approaches.