Marion Buller - Speaker - Indigenous & First Nations Jurist
Marion Buller

Marion Buller

Vancouver, British Columbia
First Nation and Indigenous Rights Advocate, Civil, Criminal and Human Rights Lawyer & Judge
Marion Buller is a keynote speaker, judge, and human rights advocate who helped form the First Nations Courts in BC & the first woman Indigenous judge. She started her legal career as a lawyer, practicing in criminal, administrative and human rights law. Marion Buller has worked as a civil and criminal lawyer, lectured and written numerous articles and papers about aboriginal law, criminal law, family law and human rights. 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. Buller received the Distinguished Alumni Award. She also received a Diamond Jubilee Medal.
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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.

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Pam Palmater

SBC

Marion Buller on Urgent Need to End Genocide in Canada
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Marion Buller Topic Presentations

aboriginal law and indigenous people’s rights

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Articles & Media

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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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 Plain Sight report in 2020 that found systemic anti-Indigenous racism within the BC health care.
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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 amazing work on reconciliation and beyond since then,” says Buller
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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 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous...
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TELUS Talks

SBC

TELUS Talks | Calls for justice for Indigenous women: Judge Marion Buller
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UBC Okanagan

SBC

Distinguished Speaker Marion Buller Abridged Talk
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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 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.

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.

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