Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services Corporation

On March 1, 1990, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation was created to address the shortcomings in the administration of justice within Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN); and to improve access to justice for members of NAN.

Since 1990, NALSC has grown steadily and worked hard to develop a professional image, and to hire qualified staff to carry out the corporation’s mandate.

Innovative and creative programs have made NALSC a leader, and at times – an example, in alternatives to justice options. NALSC has met with success in these areas.

Mandate

To promote creative community-based justice systems and to deliver on a wide range of law-related services including legal, paralegal, public legal education, and law reform services to members of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Mission

To deliver the programs and services in a culturally appropriate manner sensitive to the unique values, customs and traditions of NAN communities.

Our Values & Principles

  • Unity, Self Governance, and Sustainability
  • Respect and Dignity
  • Integrity and Honesty
  • Sharing and Partnership
  • Humility
  • Courage
  • Compassion and Caring
  • Wisdom
  • Truth

Vision

To respect and revitalize restorative justice forms of justice through Indigenous laws and Pimatisiwin (way of life)

View Cree VersionView Oji-Cree Version

A Symbol of Unity

The Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services symbol combines the traditional elements of the Aboriginal community with those of the EuroCanadian tradition.

Designer Roy Kakegamic weaves a scales of justice theme into the symbol using a balancing peace pipe. The pipe is recognized as the historical sacred symbol for bringing understanding between different people. The peace pipe is balanced on a tipi, which is the ancestral symbol for the home.

On each side of the tipi is a feather hanging from the peace pipe. One side of the tipi is coloured white and the other side black symbolizing the need for understanding of the two sides of every story. In the middle of the tipi is a red opening, an open invitation to the coming together of both sides.

The three elements: the peace pipe, tipi and feathers are contained in a circle – the circle of life – without beginning or end. This creates the fourth element in the design. Each of these elements represents one of the four directions of the compass. This theme is repeated again in the four sacred colours in the symbol: red, yellow, white and black.