Saturday, September 14, 2013

New Public Law Advocacy Headquarters

The New Public Law Advocacy Headquarters. Photo credit: Natalie Rowe. 
Yes, I know, I know. No new posts for two months. I've not be providing my reading public the ongoing quality legal information they've come to expect. But there is a reason. The new Public Law Advocacy Headquarters!

Yes, that's right, I've bought an office building and have been doing a bit of decorating, plus installing a few essentials like proper air conditioning. Well, maybe the glass block wall wasn't an essential, but it sure looks good. 

You, my clients and readers, have loyally supported my Internet presence, but I thought a bit more of a physical presence could be a good thing. It's conveniently located adjacent to a Highway 401 exit (Exit 814), in the town of Lancaster. 

Yes, as in War of the Rose House of Lancaster. Producer of Henry the IV, V and VI of England (and II of France). I'm told its namesake town in England comes from Loncastre, meaning fort on the River Lune, and among its claims to fame on Wikipedia include producing "the all-girl punk-rock band Angelica." Maybe they never made it across the pond? 

I've also hired an articling student, the most talented Matt MacLean, to assist you better in French or English. For those not in the know, think of articling a bit like the position of clerk Bob Cratchit in the employ of Scrooge in Charles Dickens' a Christmas Carol. Except I'm hopefully a very benevolent post-ghost visit Scrooge. Articling students have finished all their legal studies (in Matt's case degrees in both common law and civil law, as well as an undergraduate degree, in addition to bar school), but need to do a practical work term of 10 months to fully qualify as a barrister and solicitor. 

The new PLA Headquarters will be having an open house later in October or in early November, so that all our old and new friends can come by to check things out. Stay tuned for news of it on the blog. 

Here are a couple of additional views of the view of the still unfinished new digs.

Photo credit: Natalie Rowe

Photo credit: Natalie Rowe
Also on my list of recent happenings was attending with my friends from the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne at their annual Akwesasne International Powwow, held last weekend on the 7th and 8th of September on Cornwall Island, which is the Ontario part of their very inter-provincial and international community which also includes territory in Quebec and the United States, all bordering the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Akwesasne means "Land Where the Ruffed Grouse Drums," and it remains a great area for wildlife as well as for Aboriginal culture, which was well on display last weekend with dancing, singing and drumming competitions, great artist vendors and great food. 

For lunch I had an Indian Taco expertly and tastily made by folks from the Shubenacadie Indian Brook First Nation, who travelled all the way from Nova Scotia where I used to live and work, and served for a time as Canada's lead negotiator with the Mi'kmaq and Government of Nova Scotia under the Tripartite Forum negotiations process. Here's a link to a recipie and a few photos of a similar Indian Taco at Hilah Cooking.

We bought some art from the talented Jordan Thompson, brother of Kelly Thompson of the Aboriginal Rights and Research Office of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne which I am working with on a constitutional test case. You can see his art over at Mohawk Art and Design

And we also enjoyed the dancing, singing and drumming competitions, which have various rules and prizes

I urge all of you in Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and North-Western New York state to consider coming out to the Powwow next year, usually held at the start of September. You'll find a warm welcome, and have a rich experience that you might not have thought possible so close to home. 



1 comment:

  1. The pow-wow was great! And the office is looking pretty snazzy. Put the kettle on, I'm coming down.

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