
Marion Buller
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Personal Growth
- Resilience & Adversity
- Awareness Days
- Campus & University Speakers
- Community Engagement Events
- Conference
- Corporations & Businesses
- Education & Teachers
- Family & Parenting
- First Nation
JUDGE MARION BULLER BIOGRAPHY
The Honourable Judge Marion Buller (also known as Marion Buller Bennett) is a First Nations jurist in British Columbia, serving as the Chief Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. A member of the Mistawasis First Nation, she was the first First Nations woman to be appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia and presided in courts throughout B.C.
Marion Buller attended the University of Victoria where she received a BA in Anthropology in 1975 and later graduated with her LLB in 1987. Buller’s career in law was nothing far from noteworthy; she was instrumental in facilitating several organizations regarding indigenous rights, women’s rights, Aboriginal law, family law and human rights.
From 1988-1994, Buller worked as a civil and criminal lawyer in British Columbia. In 1994, Buller was appointed to the Provincial Court bench, making her the first female indigenous Judge in British Columbia.
Prior to being appointed to the Provincial Court bench, Judge Buller worked as a civil and criminal lawyer. Buller has lectured and written numerous articles and papers about aboriginal law, criminal law, family law and human rights.
Marion Buller served as both Director and President of the Indigenous Bar Association and served as Director of the B.C. Law Court Society, B.C. Law Foundation, B.C. Police Commission and the B.C. Mediators Roster. She also was the Commission Counsel for the Caribou-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry and published reports and articles dealing with Aboriginal rights and legal services for First Nations in BC.
During her legal career, Buller worked as both president and director of Canada’s Indigenous Bar Association; a national non-profit association of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit persons in Canada trained in the field of law. Membership includes judges, lawyers, political leaders, academics, articling and law students.
She also has been an active member of several other organizations such as the B.C. Police Commission, the BC Mediators’ Roster, the Law Foundation of B.C. and the Law Courts Education Society – a non-profit organization that provides educational programs and services regarding the justice system in Canada.
Among the many other milestones mentioned of Buller’s career, Judge Buller was instrumental in establishing the First Nations Courts of British Columbia in 2006 and the Aboriginal Family Healing Court in 2016. She is well known for her advocacy and reform within the Justice system for Indigenous populations.
Her innovative and inclusive approach established a criminal sentencing court which uses restorative justice and traditional ways to reach balance and healing. Judge Buller also developed the foundation for the Aboriginal Family Healing Court, a Court to address the return of Indigenous children to their families.
Buller has written notable papers and articles which aimed to highlight the inconsistencies within the Justice System regarding indigenous rights, women’s rights, Aboriginal law, etc. She was also Commission Counsel for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry which examined the relationship between the Cariboo-Chilcotin people and the justice system.
On December 8th, 2015, the Liberal government announced the start of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The inquiry was set to conclude at the end of 2018. However, Chief Commissioner Buller requested an extension to the inquiry.
The final report released on June 3rd, 2019 concluded that the violence faced by Indigenous women and girls is caused by state action and inaction. Within the report, Commissioner Buller refers to this ongoing violence as a “deliberate, race, identity and gender-based genocide”.
Among many criticisms of the inquiry was the refusal of the federal government to grant the full two year extension that was requested, which Buller saw as another “part of this national tragedy”
In 2016, Buller temporarily retired from her position as Judge at the Provincial Court of British Columbia. After retiring from her successful career in the field of law, Judge Buller went on to be appointed as Chief Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG); the first truly national inquiry.
The National Inquiry examined the systemic causes of all forms of violence against indigenous women and girls, including sexual violence. As Chief Commissioner of the organization, Buller played a major role in the writing of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; a comprehensive two-volume report which examines the causes for the disturbing statistics of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada
In 2012, Buller received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Victoria Faculty of Social Science. In 2016, Maclean’s listed her as one of only six people who might be especially influential on policy in the Trudeau government. Buller has received numerous other awards, including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee which recognizes Albertans who demonstrate leadership and talent in performing and visual arts.
She also received a Diamond Jubilee Medal which acknowledges Canadian citizens who have greatly contributed to the country and brought great credit to Canada. Judge Marion Buller also received the Rosemary Brown Award for Women. This award recognizes a British Columbia based woman who upholds the values and ideals of which Rosemary Brown did during her life. In 2021, Buller was granted a Doctor of Laws (h.c.) degree by Thompson Rivers University. In 2022, Buller was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Videos
Marion Buller Topic Presentations
aboriginal law and indigenous people’s rights
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Marion Buller can deliver customized presentations within the following topic themes.
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Personal Growth
- Resilience & Adversity
- Awareness Days
- Campus & University Speakers
- Community Engagement Events
- Conference
- Corporations & Businesses
- Education & Teachers
- Family & Parenting
- First Nation
- Guest Panelist & Guided Q&A
- Inspirational
- Key Note
- Motivation
- Opening & Closing Keynote
- Philanthropy & Giving Back
- Politicians
- Social Justice & Human Rights
Testimonials
Coming Soon!
Articles & Media
Marion Buller
The canadian Encyclopedia
UBC takes 'full responsibility' for its ‘actions and inactions’ to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond allegations
The ubyssey
A passion for justice
UVicNews
University of Victoria names Marion Buller, former Indigenous judge, as chancellor
Canadian lawyer
Books
Coming Soon!
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Interested in booking Marion Buller for an event?
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Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Marion Buller creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with a one our leading expert speaker like Marion Buller from Vancouver, British Columbia offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Marion Buller is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Marion Buller focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Marion Buller will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Marion Buller’s presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Marion Buller speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.
How much does it cost to hire Marion Buller for a keynote presentation or virtual event?
Marion Buller is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada’s talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Marion Buller speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget.
Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Marion Buller to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Marion Buller for your event. As Marion Buller's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization’s behalf to try to help you get in touch with Marion Buller and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.
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