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argue," says Metallic. "I learned later that has nothing to do with being a lawyer." Once convinced to pursue law, Metallic did two things: she took her LSAT and applied to Dal. "I didn't put as much thought into it as I probably would today," she says with a grin. The 21-year-old was accepted into Dal law school's Indigenous Blacks & Mi'kmaq Initiative in 2002. "I enjoyed it," says Metallic. "I met a lot of people — many socially conscious. I had no expec- tations, so I couldn't be disappointed." Today, Metallic serves as a mentor in the IB&M Initiative. "I am paired with a woman from my community," she notes. While in law school, Metallic decided to apply to clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada. It was bold thinking. "It was risky," says Metallic. "I didn't have all As." Three interviews later, however, Metallic was named clerk to Justice Michel Bastarache — the first Mi'kmaq law clerk in the history of the nation's Supreme Court. "It was a rewarding experience," she says. "The opportunities I got because Justice Bastarache saw something in me are wonderful." One of those opportuni- ties was serving as co-author (with two others) on his book The Law of Bilingual Interpretation. In 2008, Metallic was called to the bar in Nova Scotia. She was the first lawyer to be sworn in in three languages: English, French, and Mi'kmaq. Today, her practice is about 80 per cent focused on Aboriginal law. "But that's a million little things," she says. It includes giving advice to band councils on employment and business issues. It involves handling individual dis- putes with government. It touches firmly up against constitutional law. One particular area of expertise is an understanding of the Canadian Human Rights Act and related provincial statutes. The former, notes Metallic, included a provision that restricted complaints from First Nations people regarding the Indian Act. That restriction was repealed in 2008, and a three-year transition period was put in place for First Nations communities, she says. "There are interesting implica- tions as it applies to the government of Canada." Metallic, who has taught part-time at the Schulich School of Law at Dal, has found a home at Burchells. "We have the largest practice group east of Montreal," the associate notes. Indeed, the firm has provided legal advice to Aboriginal peo- ples across Canada since 1985, when it acted in support of treaty rights in R. v. Simon before the Supreme Court of Canada. There is comfort in being part of the Burchells community. "At some point in time, some First Nations leadership had more faith in hearing from a white lawyer. Women also had a harder time break- ing through," says Metallic. "Now, First Nations see it as very valuable to have someone who may have been in their shoes providing them with advice." Even so, Metallic says, "if I were out on my own, I think I'd have a really hard time. There are still challenges for Aborignal lawyers inside and outside Aboriginal law." Metallic is working to change that. She volunteers with at least 10 organi- zations, many concerned with issues of interest to French communities, NEW PUBLICATION THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF POLITICAL LAW GREGORY TARDI, B.A. (HONS.), B.C.L., LL.B., DJUR. FOREWORD BY HON. PETER MILLIKEN, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (2001-2011) The Theory and Practice of Political Law will enable you to hold up a legal mirror to the practice of democracy in Canada. The author looks at democratic governing as a constantly evolving interdisciplinary process in which legality must be allowed to fulfill its role for the system of government to be democratic. Linkages and interactions among legality, discretion and power are meticulously explored. The text is complemented with explanatory charts – for example, components of political law from various perspectives, and the systemic factors in accountability to law – and an extensive bibliography. One noteworthy chapter deals with current examples of issues and conflicts in political law, such as the G20 weekend in Toronto. The author also examines instances in other democracies where the role of law can be difficult to assess where the national interest is at stake. ORDER # 983651-62951 $210 Hardcover approx. 860 pages July 2011 978-0-7798-3651-2 Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. AVAILABLE RISK-FREE FOR 30 DAYS Order online at www.carswell.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164 In Toronto: 416-609-3800 Aboriginal peoples, and women. For instance, last year she was the interim chairwoman of the Halifax Aboriginal Peoples Network. She's also a mem- ber of the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), and the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society race relations committee. Oh yes, recently she's been lending a helping hand to get a new organization off the ground in Halifax: the Urban Aboriginal Network. Its pur- pose is to bring Aboriginal stakeholder groups together to identify gaps in ser- vices and create partnerships to address them. What little time is left over to relax, Metallic spends with her husband, Allan, a chef, and their three four-legged fam- ily members: Zeke, Buddy, and Ozzy. She admits she sometimes flirts with the idea of academe, but she's content for now. Her work is challenging — and rewarding. Her volunteer efforts are supported. She has roots in communi- ties here. "I feel like I've got a good thing going on." www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com OCTO BER 2011 19