Edmonton lawyer appointed to the bench

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A First Nations judge was appointed to the Alberta Provincial Court, Calgary Criminal Division, last month by Minister of Justice and Attorney General, David Hancock.

He is Leonard Stephen (Tony) Mandamin, a lifetime member of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton, where on Sept. 24 they held a reception in honor of the appointment.

Mandamin's new role began Sept. 30. His swearing in, expected to be "a big cross-cultural event," according to Tsuu T'ina legal counsel Marsha Erb, is slated to take place on Tsuu T'ina First Nation Oct. 15.

Three non-Aboriginal judges were appointed to other provincial court divisions at the same time.

"I am pleased to appoint the first four provincial court judges selected under the new nominating committee system," Minister Hancock said.

The committee Hancock referred to was announced last March. It consists of eight members, two from the legal profession. They made recommendations from a list of candidates provided by the judicial council, which in turn is made up of representatives of various provincial court levels and the Law Society of Alberta. Two council members are appointed by the minister.

"The appointment of these individuals to the provincial court is the result of a much more open system that reflects the concerns of all Albertans. The new system is the result of a review committee co-chaired by former chief judge Wachowich and MLA Marlene Graham, QC," a government press release stated.

Sensitive to the requirements of his new role, Mandamin declined any comment whatsoever to the press prior to Sept. 30. His firm, Mandamin and Associates in Enoch, where he specialized in Aboriginal law for 15 years, provided some background on the new judge.

Fifty-five-year-old Mandamin is Anishnawbe from Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. He was chairman of the Edmonton Police Commission in 1995 and 1996 and has recently instructed an Aboriginal legal issues course as an adjunct professor in the School of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.

Mandamin has had his own law firm since 1984, where his general practice covered criminal, constitutional and administrative law and civil litigation. He has particular expertise in Aboriginal legal issues surrounding the Constitution, treaties and self government. He was co-counsel for the apellants in the treaty hunting case, R. v. Badger, which was decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1996.

Mandamin's held leadership positions in every phase of his career, mostly related to Native people or various kinds of legal associations. He's served terms as chairman or president of numerous boards of directors, including the friendship centre. Mandamin was also a member of the board of directors of the Alberta Craft Council from 1983 to 1991 and back in 1977 to 1978 he was president of Theatre Achemowin in Edmonton.

The past 10 years, Mandamin has been a sought-after presenter at legal professional conferences, panels and seminars across Canada. He has produced many papers on justice issues relating to Aboriginal people.

He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 1971, followed by a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1982. Mandamin was called to the bar in 1983.

Last March, the university's Faculty of Law and the Aboriginal Law Students Association presented him with the Aboriginal Justice Award, "in recognition of service to the Aboriginal community and outstanding contribution to the development of Aboriginal Justice initiatives."

He was also the recipient of the 1982 Harvey Bell Memorial Award for graduating Native law students.

Mandamin's recreational pursuits include golf and reading Native literature, science fact and fiction and mystery.