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    Stare Indecisis

    Exploring issues relevant to law students and the law at large. Stare Indecisis is a student-led podcast at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law affiliated with its law journal, Appeal: Review of Current Law and Law Reform published by the Appeal Publishing Society. Produced on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Lekwungen, Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Hosts: Sarah Lachance (she/her), Camille O’Sullivan (she/her), Vinson Shih (he/him)
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    Episodes (24)

    La Rose v Canada: Positive Section 7 Rights and Environmental Public Interest Litigation with Professor Chris Tollefson

    La Rose v Canada: Positive Section 7 Rights and Environmental Public Interest Litigation with Professor Chris Tollefson

    The Federal Court of Appeal recently held in La Rose v Canada 2023 FCA 241 that the novel claims of the youth challenging the federal government’s response to climate change can proceed to trial. Indi and Professor Chris Tollefson, who is co-counsel for the youth, discuss climate litigation, positive section 7 rights and what this decision will mean going forward. 

    Tsilhqot’in Law and the 2014 Land Title Case with Chief Roger Williams, the Original Named Plaintiff in Tsilhqot’in Nation v British Columbia

    Tsilhqot’in Law and the 2014 Land Title Case with Chief Roger Williams, the Original Named Plaintiff in Tsilhqot’in Nation v British Columbia

    In 2014 the SCC unanimously recognized in Tsilhqot’in Nation v British Columbia that the Tsilhqot’in Nation has aboriginal title to over 1750 square kilometres of land southwest of Williams Lake in the Nemiah Valley. Indi talks to Chief Roger William, the original named plaintiff in the land title case, to discuss Tsilhqot’in law, Chief Roger’s 25 years of involvement with the land title case and his vision for his community’s future. 

    Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation: Applying the Charter to Indigenous Governments with Krista Robertson, Counsel for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation

    Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation: Applying the Charter to Indigenous Governments with Krista Robertson, Counsel for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation

    The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to release its decision on Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in the coming weeks. Krista Robertson, counsel for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, represented her client in all three levels of court. Indi and Krista discuss whether the Charter should apply to laws passed by self-governing Indigenous nations and why the analogous ground of Aboriginality-residence should not be applied to the facts of this case. This case also gives the SCC an opportunity to provide its first definitive direction on how section 25 of the Charter should be interpreted and applied.

    Paper Preview: When Words Can Do Justice

    Paper Preview: When Words Can Do Justice

    Host Cassidy Menard interviews Garima Karia, recent law school graduate and future clerk for the Supreme Court of Canada. Garima is one of six authors published in Volume 28 of Appeal: Review of Current Law and Law Reform. Her paper “When Words Can Do Justice: Assessing the Novel Relationship Between Legislative Drafting and Access to Administrative Justice in Yukon and Canada” explores the connection between thoughtful legislative drafting and access to justice. 

    Tune in for a range of conversation, including Garima’s time at the Yukon Human Rights Commission, her use of Amartya Sen’s expanded capabilities approach in a legal context, her love for author Jesse Thistle, and her experience working with the editors of Appeal Law Review.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Host: Cassidy Menard 
    Guest: Garima Karia
    Editing: Cassidy Menard
    Music: Machinery by Eddy

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    Notwithstanding Your Rights: Section 33 of the Charter

    Notwithstanding Your Rights: Section 33 of the Charter

    In this podcast, Patrick interviews Patricia Hughes about Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, also known as the notwithstanding clause. They discuss its history, recent invocations, and its potential for misuse.

    Angus Reid Institute Study: https://angusreid.org/canada-constitution-notwithstanding-clause-bill-96-bill-28/

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com 

    Hosts: Patrick McDermott (he/him)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott
    Theme Song by Logan Aitken
    Interstitials: Machinery by Eddy

    What, like it's hard? Tier-ranking lawyer films

    What, like it's hard? Tier-ranking lawyer films

    You can’t handle the truth!! (of these rankings).

    Join hosts Cassidy and Max for a totally-not-definitive tier ranking of nearly 30 lawyer films from the 1950s to the present. With little to back their opinions besides personal taste and unreliable memory, they grade some of cinema’s most renowned courtroom dramas including Legally Blonde, The Firm, 12 Angry Men, Erin Brockovich, My Cousin Vinny, and more!

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Hosts: Cassidy Menard and Max Gross
    Editing: Max Gross
    Music: Machinery by Eddy

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    Straight to the Amygdala: Exploring the real cost of true crime

    Straight to the Amygdala: Exploring the real cost of true crime

    Tom speaks with Professor Rebecca Johnson about the modern true crime boom, its effects on victims and their families and whether it might actually be a good thing.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Guest: Rebecca Johnson
    Hosting and editing: Tom Ndekezi
    Outro Music: Machinery by Eddy
    Theme Song: Logan Aitken

    Media Matters, “Common portrayals of Indigenous people”, online (blog): <https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/media-issues/diversity-media/indigenous-people/common-portrayals-indigenous-people>.

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    Did You Know That You Have Tenancy Rights? (The RTA says you do and so do we)

    Did You Know That You Have Tenancy Rights? (The RTA says you do and so do we)

    Cassidy and Max speak with four UVic law students about their renting experiences as a jumping off point to inquire more broadly about the scope and application of tenancy rights in BC.

    They interview lawyers Robert Patterson and Zuzana Modrovic of the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) and Doug King of the Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS). The conversation touches on vacancy control, eviction notices, tips for the arbitration process, the impact of the housing crisis on supported housing, and more. 

    For more information about TRAC, visit https://tenants.bc.ca

    For more information about TAPS, visit https://www.tapsbc.ca

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com. 

    Hosts: Cassidy Menard and Max Gross
    Editing: Cassidy Menard
    Production: Cassidy Menard, Max Gross, and Kai Fig Taddei
    Theme song: Logan Aitken 
    Music: Machinery by Eddy

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    Wonderfully PLAIN: Access to justice and the plain language legal writing movement

    Wonderfully PLAIN: Access to justice and the plain language legal writing movement

    Tom talks about the problems with "legalese" and the rise of the plain language legal writing movement, before interviewing Cheryl Stephens, the founder of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN). Together they discuss ways to simplify legal language, the importance of plain language drafting and learn some new Scrabble words.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Guests: Cheryl Stephens

    Hosting and editing: Tom Ndekezi

    Outro Music: Machinery by Eddy

    Sound Effects: Kevin MacLeod

    Theme Song: Logan Aitken

    Tim Sandle, “Report finds only 1 percent reads ‘Terms & Conditions’”, (29 January 2020), online: www.digitaljournal.com < https://www.digitaljournal.com/business/report-finds-only-1-percent-reads-terms-conditions/article/566127#ixzz7upD4UOAX>.

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    A Conversation with Supreme Court Justice O'Bonsawin

    A Conversation with Supreme Court Justice O'Bonsawin

    Join Cassidy and Patrick in conversation with the Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin, the first Indigenous justice to serve on the Supreme Court of Canada and the court’s most recent appointee. Justice O’Bonsawin shares anecdotes about her career prior to the SCC, talks emerging issues in the law, and gives listeners a sense of her life outside of the courtroom. Stay tuned after the interview for a debrief with the hosts about the experience. 

    A special thank you to the UVic FemLaw Club for their contributions.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Guests: The Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin
    Hosts: Cassidy Menard (she/her) and Patrick McDermott (he/him)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott
    Music: Machinery by Eddy

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    Decriminalization & Harm Reduction Part 2: Advocacy in Law School

    Decriminalization & Harm Reduction Part 2: Advocacy in Law School

    In part two of our series on Decriminalization & Harm Reduction, Patrick is joined by members of H.A.R.D. Law for a round table discussion on advocacy in law school. Building upon or previous episode regarding BC’s recent decriminalization of small possession, this episode delves deeper into the role of law students in advocating for these important issues. Our guests share their experiences with advocating for harm reduction and decriminalization in law school, including the formation of H.A.R.D. Law and research projects. Through their stories, we gain insight into the challenges and opportunities of advocacy work in law school, and the importance of using legal education to progressive social change.

    To obtain copies of the zines discussed in this episode, email hardlawuvic@gmail.com.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com 

    Guests: Katie Curry, Hillary Mutch, Declan McGovern, Sean Price, and James Mager
    Hosts: Patrick McDermott (he/him)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott
    Theme Song by Logan Aitken
    Interstitials: Machinery by Eddy

    Decriminalization & Harm Reduction Part 1: Is BC’s Drug Exemption Set Up to Fail?

    Decriminalization & Harm Reduction Part 1: Is BC’s Drug Exemption Set Up to Fail?

    In part one of our series on Decriminalization & Harm Reduction, we delve into the controversial drug exemption policy that came into effect on January 31st in BC. Patrick and Max talk to Sandra Ka Hon Chu, Co-Executive Director at HIV Legal Network, and Nathan Crompton from VANDU, who share insight into how this exemption came to be and their perspectives on the policy's effectiveness. Throughout the episode, we examine the challenges and opportunities that the policy presents, including issues around stigma, how this might impact the policing and prosecution of drug trafficking, and the ongoing toxic drug crisis.


    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send us an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com

    Hosts: Patrick McDermott (he/him) & Max Gross (he/him)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott & Max Gross
    Theme Song by Logan Aitken
    Interstitials: Machinery by Eddy

    How to Fall in Love with Your Podcast Hosts

    How to Fall in Love with Your Podcast Hosts

    Meet the “cool kids” of the Appeal law journal.

    In this episode, the season 4 hosts of Stare Indecisis introduce themselves to help listeners better understand their positionality in relation to the subject-matter of future episodes. They then move to a discussion of land acknowledgements: what they mean to them personally, and how they define them in the context of law school and this season’s podcast episodes.

    Lastly, they answer questions from the New York Times article “The 36 Questions That Lead to Love.” The hosts answer everything from “what is your favourite podcast?” to “when did you last cry?” Tune in for unhinged speculation about surfing with dementia, whether they’d recognize Stephen King on the street, and the likelihood of Patrick dying on the toilet.

    If you have any feedback you would like to share with the hosts, please send them an email at appealpodcast@gmail.com.

    Hosts: Cassidy Menard (she/her), Tom Ndekezi (he/him), Patrick McDermott (he/him)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott
    Music: Machinery by Eddy
    http://freemusicarchive.org/music/eddy/2_Damn_Loud/Machinary_NO_VOX

    We respectfully acknowledge the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

    On Retainer : Interim Dean Val Napoleon

    On Retainer : Interim Dean Val Napoleon

    Join our guest host Gabriella Bright in conversation with Dean Napoleon. Their discussion touches on favourites, inspirations, Dean Napoleon's journey to law school, visions for the future, as well as answers to some hard-hitting questions from the student body. This episode is split into three sections: 1) rapid fire questions that will give you some insight into Dean Napoleon, 2) a discussion of her journey to law and in law so far, and 3) Student submitted questions. Take a listen for an inspiring and energizing chat.

    Interviewer: Gabriella Bright, 2L JD/JID (Stare Indecisis volunteer)
    Editing: Patrick McDermott and Vinson Shih

    Queers in Law: Layne Clarke

    Queers in Law: Layne Clarke

    Navigating law school and the law is a unique experience—what is it like as a queer person? In this episode, Vinson profiles Layne Clarke, a fellow queer law student at UVic. Join the two as they examine what their queerness means to them, and what it means to be queer in law in this cozy coffee chat.

    Guest: Layne Clarke (they/them)
    Host/Producer/Editor: Vinson Shih (he/him)
    Theme Music: Jeremy Marsan jeremymarsan.com
    Special Thanks: Glen Swarnadhipathi, CFUV 101.9 FM CFUV.uvic.ca

    Website: onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/stareindecisis
    Contact: appealpodcast@gmail.com
    Facebook: @appealreviewofcurrentlawandlawreform
    Twitter: @AppealLawReview

    00:45 - Who is Layne? Being genderqueer
    04:11 - Port Hardy, GSA, small town beginnings as a baby gay
    07:30 - Stories from Western - Dodging archeology and lessons in queer advocacy
    11:33 - Queerness and perspective - Empathy and being an outsider
    15:08 - Layne’s road to law school - Eat pray love? Epiphany in Rwanda
    21:31 - Job-hunting while queer - The little things and some hope
    25:48 - Practice Direction PD-59 - It doesn’t have to be a big thing
    27:41 - Law school activism and community - Outlaws, PBSC Trans ID clinic
    33:37 - The ideal queer goes to Church St? - Intersectionality and what still troubles us about the law 
    38:19 - Wouldn’t have it another way - How queerness is a strength
    41:10 - QAnon analysis, SCOTUS, Stardew Valley - Layne’s pop culture recs

    "Why Appeal?" ft. Vinson Shih from Podcasting/Public Relations

    "Why Appeal?" ft. Vinson Shih from Podcasting/Public Relations

    Curious about Appeal? Wonder what it's like to work on a law journal? Join podcast host Sarah Lachance in this new mini-series as she interviews different members of Appeal's editorial board to learn more about the different departments,  roles, and all the reasons you should get involved in the journal. Tune in this week to hear Vinson Shih share his experience on the Podcasting/Public Relations team and his thoughts on why you should get involved in Appeal!

    Host/Producer/Editor: Sarah Lachance (she/her)
    Theme Music: Jeremy Marsan jeremymarsan.com
    Special Thanks: Nicola Watts, CFUV 101.9 FM CFUV.ca 
    Website: onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/stareindecisis
    Contact: appealpodcast@gmail.com
    Facebook: @appealreviewofcurrentlawandlawreform
    Twitter: @AppealLawReview

    "Why Appeal?" ft. Publications Department's Jinjae Jeong

    "Why Appeal?" ft. Publications Department's Jinjae Jeong

    Curious about Appeal? Wonder what it's like to work on a law journal? Join podcast host Sarah Lachance in this new mini-series as she interviews different members of Appeal's editorial board to learn more about the different departments, roles, and all the reasons you should get involved in the journal. Tune in this week to hear Jinjae Jeong share his experience as a member of the Publications Department and his thoughts on why you should get involved in Appeal!

    Host/Producer/Editor: Sarah Lachance (she/her)
    Theme Music: Jeremy Marsan jeremymarsan.com
    Special Thanks: Nicola Watts, CFUV 101.9 FM CFUV.ca 
    Website: onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/stareindecisis
    Contact: appealpodcast@gmail.com
    Facebook: @appealreviewofcurrentlawandlawreform
    Twitter: @AppealLawReview

    Paper Preview: The Myth of the Ideal Victim

    Paper Preview: The Myth of the Ideal Victim

    Content warning: In this episode we discuss sexual assault and intimate partner violence, as well as survivors of sexual assault navigating reporting and trial.

    Stare Indecisis sits down with Camas Ussery, an author in Volume 27 of Appeal (published Spring 2022). We discuss Camas’ paper, “The Myth of the Ideal Victim: Combatting Misconceptions of Expected Demeanour in Sexaul Assault Survivors” and how the myth of the ideal victim can prejudice a trier of fact to view survivors as non-credible witnesses at trial.

    Highlights
    00:03:11 - What Is the Ideal Victim Myth?
    00:04:58 - How is the myth used?
    00:06:40 - The Myth and the Courtroom
    00:07:50 - Trauma and Demeanour
    00:09:16 - The Duty of Lawyers and Judges


    Here are some resources in the event that you or someone you know has experience sexual assault and would like to speak to a qualified individual.

    Ending Violence Canada provides a list of sexual assault centres and crisis lines that are organized by region and specific need: endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/

    The Vancouver Island Crisis Line : 1-888-494-3888 
    They can connect to the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.

    Victoria Sexual Assault Centre directly at 250-383-3232 or VSAC.ca

    Take Care.