PLEA to look at legal education needs

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An assessment of the legal education and information needs of Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan is currently underway, thanks to an initiative launched by the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA) with funding from the Law Foundation.

PLEA is a non-profit organization that has been working for over 20 years to provide legal education and information to the Saskatchewan public. The needs assessment is being done to help the organization better meet the specific information and education requirements of the Aboriginal community, both in the short and long term.

The assessment is being conducted by two consultants - lawyers Kathy Grier and Laurier J. Caron - who will be gathering information from the Aboriginal community.

According to Grier, the first step in gathering information was to send out questionnaires to bands and tribal councils in the province, as well as to Metis locals, Aboriginal educational institutions, Aboriginal justice workers, and cultural organizations. In addition to the questionnaires, comments and suggestions will also be gathered by organizing focus groups to discuss areas where more education and information is required.

The goal of the project is to have a report with recommendations completed by June.

Anyone wanting more information about the needs assessment, or wanting to share their comments or suggestions about legal information and education needs can call the PLEA office at 653-1868.