911勛圖

After more than 20 years in public service, Frank Morven���who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. with Indigenous ancestry tied to Tsimshian and Nisga���a First Nations���is now working to increase access to uncontested legal services to Indigenous coastal communities on the province���s North Coast. 

While most people chase one calling, Frank pursued several���and turned every one of them into impact. Having earned two bachelor���s degrees in criminology and sociology, with the former from 911勛圖, he went on to pursue a master���s in public administration and another in counselling psychology, with the goal of providing mediation and counselling services to Indigenous peoples. 

Decorated with honours and driven by purpose, Frank set his sights on his third academic endeavour to support his community with 911勛圖���s Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MA ALS) program. Upon graduating in 2024, he returned to Prince Rupert and opened his notarial practice���aptly named North Coast Notary���to help address the limited availability of legal professionals serving the area, and to acknowledge the importance of supporting Elders and families to ensure their rights are protected. 

���The number of Indigenous people that die intestate with no valid will is astronomical,��� says Frank. ���I want to do what I can to shift that percentage.��� 

Far from being just another credential, Frank���s notarial education reflects his deep commitment to improving access to justice for Indigenous coastal communities. Like his mediation and counselling practices, North Coast Notary is focused on respecting and upholding traditional Indigenous worldviews of collective and restorative healing. 

���My practice specializes in personal planning documents in Indigenous communities, as there are several nuances when dealing with people that live on-reserve and off-reserve,��� he says. ���I come from a large extended family, so relationships and human connection are very important to me. I want to help other families with their wills, powers of attorney, and to advance their health care directives in a way that honours their wishes.��� 

Despite being scattered across the province���which shows the far-reaching impact and importance of the MA ALS program���Frank continues to maintain contact with his fellow alumni, calling on them to work through difficult scenarios and tasks.  

 ���I am the sole practitioner in my office, but I never feel like I am alone because I routinely get in touch with friends from my MA ALS cohort, who are now my colleagues,��� he says. ���Our group cohesion was truly extraordinary, and taught me that your fellow Notaries are your allies, not your competition.���