Open Letter in Solidary with Dalhousie’s Black Law Students Association and BIPOC Students at

Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

February 12, 2023

The National Indigenous Law Students Association (“NILSA”) has recently been made aware of the
anti-Black racism and discrimination targeting Black students of the Schulich School of Law in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. NILSA condemns this student, their conduct, and the system that has protected them. We
condemn racism, discrimination, and hatred in all forms. While these events have specifically targeted
Black law students, we recognize that lateral violence and systemic racism impacts us all. Systemic
racism continues to exist in the institutions we are a part of; this is just one more reminder.

NILSA stands in solidarity with the Dalhousie Black Students Association (“DBLSA”) and the first year
students who refused to take racism and the passivity of their institution sitting down. We were proud to
see the success of the student walk out and the healing that took place at the following smudging
ceremony. The importance of solidarity, collective action, and community building cannot be understated.
We are stronger together.

NILSA cannot remain silent while violence is perpetrated against BIPOC students. It should not be the
responsibility of BIPOC students to bear the burden of educating their classmates on racism and why it is
wrong. Law schools should be supporting and protecting BIPOC students, not fostering environments
where racism is accepted as an exercise of intellectual freedom.

NILSA is committed working with the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada and other
organizations in the spirit of allyship and community. We are committed to using our platforms to amplify
and contribute to these conversations across the country now known as Canada.

The fight is not over. This is one incident at one institution, but is a signal of a larger problem. As current
law students and future legal professionals, NILSA condemns oppression and racism in legal education
and the legal system and will continue to fight for equity and justice.

We invite you to read the statements published by DBLSA and the Dalhousie Law Students Society.

In solidarity,

The National Indigenous Law Students Association Executive

nationalindigenouslawstudents@gmail.com