Marion Buller

Marion Buller

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Vancouver, British Columbia

First Nation And Indigenous Rights Advocate | Civil Criminal & Human Rights Lawyer | Retired Judge

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HON. JUDGE MARION BULLER BIOGRAPHY

The Honourable Dr. Marion Buller C.M., is a member of the Mistawasis Nehiyawak, a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan.  Hon. Buller made history as the initial First Nation woman appointed as a judge in British Columbia and later as the Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Hon. Marion Buller received her BA in Anthropology in 1975 from the University of Victoria and later, in 1987, her LLB. She launched her career in law, distinguishing herself in the fields of indigenous and human rights and criminal law.  She worked as a civil and criminal lawyer in British Columbia from 1988 to 1994.  During this time, Hon Buller also wrote and lectured extensively on Indigenous issues, human rights, and criminal and family law.

In 1994, Hon. Buller’s career took a leap when she was appointed to the Provincial Court bench, a historic moment that saw her become the initial First Nation woman in British Columbia appointed as a judge.

An instrumental figure in the legal community, Hon. Marion Buller established the First Nations Courts of British Columbia in 2006 and provided the foundation for the Aboriginal Family Healing Court in 2016. She is recognized for her innovative and restorative justice approaches and her advocacy for Indigenous populations within the Canadian justice system.

As a lawyer and then as a judge, Hon. Marion Buller held prominent positions such as Director and President of the Indigenous Bar Association and served as Director of several legal and law enforcement organizations in B.C. She was the Commission Counsel for the Caribou-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry, one of the early inquiries into the relationship between Indigenous people and Canadian justice system.  Hon. Buller also published crucial reports and articles dealing with Aboriginal rights and legal services for Indigenous people in BC.

In September 2016, Hon. Marion Buller became the Chief Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The National Inquiry’s final report, Reclaiming Power and Place, was released in June 2019.  This report dissected the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada.  The Commissioners powerfully concluded that the violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people was “deliberate, race, identity, and gender-based genocide.”

Throughout her career, Hon. Marion Buller has been recognized with several prestigious accolades. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Victoria Faculty of Social Science, and Maclean’s included her in their list of six individuals who might influence policy in the Trudeau government.  Hon. Buller also received the Vancouver YWCA’s first Woman of Distinction Award for Reconciliation in Action.

Hon. Marion Buller’s other recognitions include the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, Mothers Matter Award and the Rosemary Brown Award for Women. In 2021, she was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Thompson Rivers University. The following year, in 2022, Hon. Buller received one of the highest honors in the country when she was appointed to the Order of Canada. Further cementing her remarkable career, Hon. Buller was granted an additional Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Lakehead University in 2023.

As of today, Hon. Marion Buller continues to be a prominent figure in Canada, demonstrating unparalleled leadership and commitment to reconciliation, nation-building and Indigenous and human rights.  In addition to being the Chancellor of the University of Victoria, she maintains a part-time law practice and continues to lecture, both nationally and internationally.  Her official title is Hon. Marion Buller, C.M.

Marion Buller Related Media

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Marion Buller Related Content

Articles & Magazine Feature

Marion Buller

The canadian Encyclopedia

Marion Buller, CM, civil, criminal and human rights lawyer; judge; public speaker; and advocate for Indigenous rights in Canada (born 5 July 1953). Buller helped to create the First Nations Courts in British Columbia and was the first woman Indigenous judge in British Columbia. Buller has held several high-profile positions, including director and president of the Indigenous Bar Association in Canada and chief commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. After retiring as a judge, Buller continues to write about Indigenous issues and, in 2022, was appointed chancellor of the University of Victoria.
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Articles & Magazine Feature

UBC takes 'full responsibility' for its ‘actions and inactions’ to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond allegations

The ubyssey

But, some Indigenous groups raised concerns about Turpel-Lafond's claim to Indigenous identity, with the Indigenous Women’s Collective calling on 11 Canadian universities to revoke the honorary degree they gave to the former law professor. Other prominent Indigenous women — like Marion Buller, the chief commissioner of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls — also said they were considering returning their honorary degrees if universities did not rescind Turpel-Lafond’s. Turpel-Lafond was a law professor at the Allard School of Law and served as the inaugural director of the IRSHDC until her term ended in June 2022. She also published the In...
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Articles & Magazine Feature

A passion for justice

UVicNews

hometopics A passion for justice Law June 23, 2022 - Jody Paterson Share: FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail Buller. Credit: UVic Photo Services If it hadn’t been for a timely visit to Vancouver Island, University of Victoria Chancellor Marion Buller just might have ended up a Carleton University graduate. But it was love at first sight when Buller travelled from Ottawa to Victoria for that fateful vacation in May of 1973. She was so taken with the natural environment that she quickly set to work transferring from Carleton and enrolled in third-year anthropology at UVic, where she was one of only a handful of Indigenous students attending the university. “UVic has done some...
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Articles & Magazine Feature

University of Victoria names Marion Buller, former Indigenous judge, as chancellor

Canadian lawyer

The University of Victoria has announced Marion Buller, who was the initial First Nations woman appointed as a judge in B.C. in 1994, as its 12th chancellor, for which she will serve a three-year term effective Jan. 1, 2022. Buller, who has long advocated for Indigenous issues and rights, is a member of the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, said the University of Victoria’s news release. As a judge for over two decades, she created and presided in the Indigenous Courts, which was then called the First Nations Courts of B.C., and established the foundation for the Aboriginal Family Healing Court conferences. Buller has served as chief commissioner of the...
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Marion Buller Topic Presentations

Advancing Justice: Mmiwg Inquiry and the Path Forward

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • As the first Indigenous woman judge in British Columbia, The Honourable Marion Buller has been at the forefront of addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada and the Americas. In this presentation, Marion Buller will provide a first-hand account of her significant contributions as the Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into MMIWG. She will share the lessons learned from the inquiry, shedding light on the systemic violence, discrimination, and structural barriers that continue to place Indigenous women at risk.

    Despite the conclusion of the inquiry in June 2019, the fight for justice is far from over. Marion Buller will discuss the measures and actions communities and governments have implemented to reduce the risk for Indigenous women and girls. Moreover, she will provide strategic insights into the future work that is required, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive political action, government commitment, and substantive policy reforms.

    The core of the presentation will center on the imperative steps for the future, focusing on the calls for justice highlighted in the report and the ongoing actions that individuals and organizations can take. These steps include addressing socio-economic disparities, enhancing Indigenous policing, improving education about Indigenous history and rights, and refining data collection and reporting on Indigenous crime victims.

    This presentation promises to be a comprehensive exploration of the MMIWG crisis, shedding light on the power of sustained dedication to effect change and the path that we must continue to tread for justice and healing. Join us as we learn from Judge Marion Buller’s experiences and insights in this crucial conversation.

Traditional Laws & Indigenous Peoples Rights

Navigating Justice: Indigenous Rights and the Systems of Justice

Beyond the Words: Activating the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls To Action

Blended Systems: Indigenous Traditions & Western Institutions

Indigenous Restorative Justice: Its Principles, Practices, and Implications for the Canadian Legal System

A System in Need of Change: Addressing Indigenous and First Nation Children in Foster Care

Revitalizing Community and Family Structures: Centering Indigenous Women

The Role of Education in Reconciliation: Building Awareness About Indigenous Rights and Histories

Indigenous Leadership: Community Restoration, Responsibility, and Accessibility

Empowering Indigenous Communities: Traditional Culture, Families, Teachers, Youth and Education

Indigenous Knowledge in Curriculum: Enriching Education With Tradition and Culture

Marion Buller Speaking Testimonials

Coming Soon!

Marion Buller Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Marion Buller Keynote Speaker delivers customized and tailored keynote presentations, workshops, and training sessions on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique and are designed for a variety of audiences, industries, conferences, and event formats.

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FAQ

How to book Marion Buller for an event?

Marion Buller keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Marion Buller delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Marion Buller from Vancouver, British Columbia for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada. 

Interested in booking Marion Buller for an event?

Are you looking to hire Marion Buller for your event? Marion Buller Vancouver, British Columbia is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Marion Buller is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Marion Buller is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Marion Buller from Speakers Canada's roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Marion Buller to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.

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 one of 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.

Marion Buller Disclaimer

Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Marion Buller for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Marion Buller, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada's top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation. 

When SBC receives a request to book Marion Buller we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization's event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Marion Buller about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker's fees. If you are looking to hire Marion Buller, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.