The IBA Announces the Retirement of Long-Time & Immensely Dedicated Administrator of the IBA

OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (the “IBA”) is saddened to announce the retirement of our long-standing administrative support, Anne Chalmers. Her last day with the IBA was October 14, 2023.

Anne served as the IBA’s central administrator, bookkeeper and manager of external relations for nearly 14 years. Anne was invited to join the IBA following her time at the Indian Claims Commission (now the Specific Claims Tribunal), where she played an instrumental role in securing the participation of community members, particularly Elders, in the Commission’s proceedings. When she joined the IBA, she immediately became a highly respected member of the management and executive team. As the years passed, she became the backbone and matriarch of the IBA; a person whom many of the IBA’s members could rely on to oversee the tedious tasks related to bookkeeping, finance and conference organization.

As a result of years of establishing herself as a prominent and indispensable member of the IBA, she formed lifelong relationships with many of the IBA’s members. Anyone who worked with the IBA would have inevitably interfaced with Anne, and she always left an impression as being modest, extremely hard working, tactful and detail oriented. She saw the IBA through years of adversity and celebrations, and played an integral part in helping the IBA navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the seemingly endless tasks that she performed, she was never too busy to enjoy a glass of wine and share stories of her years with the Indian Claims Commission, the National Indian Brotherhood or her time working with First Nation leaders in Manitoba. Anne will be greatly missed by all those in our organization.

As a tribute, the IBA organized a program at the President’s Reception on October 12th to honor and appreciate Anne as the esteemed colleague and person she is.

Please join us in thanking Anne for her tireless contributions to the IBA. Should you wish to stay in touch with Anne, you can find her on Facebook at the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/anne.chalmers.127

The IBA is a national non-profit association comprised of Indigenous lawyers (practicing and non-practicing), legal academics and scholars, articling clerks and law students, including graduate and post-graduate law students. We are mandated to promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada and the reform of laws and policies affecting Indigenous peoples. For mor information please visit www.indigenousbar.ca.

NT5