PLEAC Conference 2026 | Plenary – Strategies for connecting with rural and remote, and Indigenous communities
Description
Organizations that provide public legal education face unique challenges in reaching and supporting rural and remote communities. Connecting with and supporting Indigenous communities in non-urban areas also brings its own set of challenges. Three panellists who serve these communities – two in Canada, one in the US – will discuss strategies for connecting with and building the legal knowledge and skills of community members.
Links:
https://publiclegalinfo.com/
https://www.mtlsa.org/
https://nanlegal.on.ca/
Speaker Bios:
Valerie Falls Down joined Montana Legal Services Association in July 2021 as the Tribal Advocacy Coordinator. Valerie currently holds a license to practice at the Crow Tribal Court, Chippewa Cree TribalCourt, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court and Fort Peck Tribal Court in Montana. Valerie is also a member of the Montana Supreme Court–Access to Justice Commission to develop, coordinate and implement initiatives to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters. Valerie has extensive experience as a Board Member for difference organizations including the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains, Montana Native Women’s Coalition and the Montana Mortality Review Commission. Her prior work experience includes fifteen years working within the Crow Tribal community in different capacities as a Domestic Violence Director, Victim Advocate, Addiction Counselor and Youth Empowerment Coordinator. Also, serving as an Adjunct Instructor for five years for the Little Big Horn College in the areas of Legal, Ethical, Professional Issues in Counseling and Multi-Cultural Counseling. Through her work and board member experience she has assisted in the areas of strategic planning, policy development, program development & management, forming and linking collaborative networks as well as strengthening and fostering community partnerships.
Doreen Stone is a member of Eabametoong First Nation and has had the privilege of working with Nishnawbe-Aski Legal for over 28 years in the Legal Aid Department. She is a graduate of the Aboriginal Law and Advocacy program as well as the Business Administration program. As Director of Legal Services, Doreen oversees a range of vital programs, including the Legal Aid Certificate Program, the Staff Lawyer Program, the Gladue Program, the Community Release and Reintegration Program, the Indigenous Bail Release Supervision Program, the Public Legal Education Program, and the Court Services Program. Outside of her professional work, Doreen is passionate about the outdoors, particularly fishing and enjoying the simplicity of a boat ride on the lake. These experiences are deeply meaningful to her, offering opportunities to connect with the land and the communities she serves. Doreen is dedicated to strengthening relationships with First Nations leadership and ensuring that legal services are responsive to the unique needs of the communities. She looks forward to continuing this important work and visiting communities to further build and sustain those relationships.
Paula Michelin is the busy mom of two teenage girls. Originally from the Straits portion of Labrador, she has spent the last 30 years living and working in Labrador’s central hub, Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Through her current role with Public Legal Information Association of NL, she brings legal information, education and supports to people all over Labrador. In 2025 Paula was appointed to the board of directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission and also currently sits on the board for the Libra House women’s shelter in Happy Valley-Goose Bay which are both organizations that are near and dear to her heart.
Kevin O’Shea has been PLIAN’s Executive Director since 2014. He is proud to lead a team of dedicated and caring professionals in St. John’s and Happy Valley-Goose Bay who provide legal education and information services and support to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally from St. John’s, Kevin completed a law degree at the University of Ottawa in 2009 and a Master of Laws at the University of Turin in 2013. He was called to the bar as a Member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. Prior to joining PLIAN, Kevin worked as Crown Attorney with Public Prosecutions in St. John’s. He also has prior experience working in the fields of education and human rights advocacy in the United States, Cambodia, and Tanzania. Kevin currently serves as the Chair of the Access to Justice Steering Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador and is a member and former Chair of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada.