Student Life Events at St. George
POSTPONED: World Interfaith Harmony Week: Discussing Truth and Reconciliation
Feb 5, 2024 12:30 PM
to
01:30 PM
Multi-Faith Centre - Main Activity Hall, 569 Spadina Ave
Registration Deadline: Feb 5, 2024 02:00 PM
Join us for an enriching Truth and Reconciliation session facilitated by John P. Brown, Indigenous lawyer and deacon. He will share how his spiritual beliefs have furthered his commitment to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Time: 12:30-1:30 pm
Location: Main Activity Hall (KP 208), Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue)
About our Facilitator:
John P. Brown serves as the Legal and Strategic Advisor for Indigenous Initiatives at McCarthy Tétrault LLP. A University of Toronto alum, he completed his undergraduate studies at St Michael's College in 1978, law degree in 1981, and was ordained in the Permanent Diaconate Program of St Augustine's Seminary in 2014. Starting his career at McCarthy Tétrault in 1981 as an articling student, John rose to become a senior partner in the firm's Litigation Group and a key member of the National Class Action Group, earning recognition as a leading class action lawyer.
In his current role, John plays a pivotal part in representing First Nations in significant class action lawsuits against Canada, focusing on ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water. His efforts contributed to a landmark settlement in December 2021, where Canada committed $8 billion to resolve water issues, a historic achievement in Canadian legal history.
John chairs the firm's Reconciliation Committee and is actively involved in several Indigenous-focused legal and community groups. He is a member of the Indigenous Bar Association, CBA Indigenous Advisory Group, and other committees dedicated to supporting Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
John's heritage as a Sto:lo from the Fraser River Valley in British Columbia and his status as a Canadian Indigenous person intertwine with his faith and professional life. Ordained as a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 2014, he actively merges his spiritual beliefs with his commitment to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
About World Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February, emerging from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution that seeks a worldwide celebration of interfaith harmony. This week encourages individuals and communities to come together, share their beliefs, and work towards common goals of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect. It's a time for religious and non-religious organizations, as well as individuals, to engage in activities that foster harmony and understanding among diverse faith communities.