About.NILSA' s goal is to connect, support, and help foster the relationships of Indigenous law students across “Canada” in all levels of study.
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NILSA's Executive is made up of elected members who are current Indigenous students, with ancestral ties to Turtle Island, enrolled at an accredited law school. The role of the Executive is to guide the associations daily activities.
Meet Your 2023-2024 Executive!
Elysha Bear-Morin, PresidentTansi Nitotemak,
I grew up along the Churchill River with my relatives. I am a Treaty person with membership to Treaty Six. I am an advocate to water, and I believe firmly in defending for the children. I completed my Honors Bachelor of Arts at McMaster University, with a thesis that focused on hydroelectric impacts and community well-being. While at McMaster I was fortunate enough to be immersed in the Mohawk language, and to learn the principles, ceremonies, and governance structure of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. I am now a third-year law student at Windsor Law. I currently sit with the Shkawbewisag Student Law Society, with work and extracurricular focus on honoring Indigenous laws. In advocacy, my work focuses on co-creating healthy environments for Indigenous communities to thrive in. I aspire to be a healthy relative, grounded in community. I am honored and humbled to be elected as the President of the National Indigenous Law Student’s Association. Tiniki |
Shelby Sinclair, Vice-President First NationsAaniin! Shelby Sinclair ndizhinikaaz. Pinaymootang First Nation ndoonjii. I am an Anishinaabekwe from Treaty 2 territory. I am currently a 3L at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall. I enjoy advocating for First Nations people and doing what I can to advance our rights as a nation. I am extremely excited to be re-elected as NILSA’s Vice-President First Nations this year and to serve First Nation Law Students across the country. Miigwetch!
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Riel Bjerke-Clarke, Vice-President MétisRiel is in her final year of the MPA/JD combined program at Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University in Halifax. She hails from Regina, SK, and has Métis, Ukranian, Sami, Norwegian, and English heritage. Before attending Schulich, Riel studied Contemporary Studies and International Development at the University of King’s College/Dalhousie. While at Schulich, she has been involved with the Dalhousie Indigenous Law Students’ Association, No One Is Illegal (Halifax), and the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra. She is currently working at Public Services and Procurement Canada to advance the department’s Reconciliation initiatives. Riel is passionate about continuous (un)learning, social justice, and community-building. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking.
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Brooklyn Seigmiller,
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Jessica Mirasty, Communications OfficerTansi/Hello! My name is Jessica Mirasty, and I have paternal roots from Flying Dust First Nation, SK in Treaty 6 and maternal roots from Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, SK in Treaty 10 territory. I grew up in Flying Dust for 18 years of my life before moving to Saskatoon, SK to pursue my post-secondary education. I am a current 1L in the Juris Doctor/Juris Indigenous Doctor program at the University of Victoria, which is the first program of its kind in the world. In 2022, I graduated with my Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Marketing from the University of Saskatchewan. In addition, I am passionate about helping Indigenous youth reach their potential and am determined to make a change in the Indigenous legal community. I currently volunteer at various organizations such as FFIY, PBSC, ILSA, and the IBSS. I look forward to working as your communications officer this year!
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Kate Alexandra Anderson, Communications OfficerTansi, bonjour, hello! Kate Anderson dishinihkaashoon and I am honoured to serve as one of NILSA’s communication officers this year! I am Red River Métis and a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. I was born and raised in Mohkinstsis/Calgary, but I am currently living in K’jipuktuk/Halifax. I attend Schulich School of Law and am pursuing the combined Master of Information (Library Science) and Juris Doctor degree with a specialization in Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Laws. I currently act as both Co-President and Law Student Society Representative on the executive board of the Dalhousie Indigenous Law Students Association. Being re-elected to the National Indigenous Law Students Association executive alongside such a talented and inspirational cohort of Indigenous law students is an honour and a privilege. I treasure the opportunity to learn, serve, and contribute to the ongoing success of this community.
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Brandy Pitt, First Year RepresentativeMy name is Siphiko Mikisew Iskwew (Blue Eagle Woman), Brandy Pitt. I am Wuskwi Siphik (Swampy Cree), Marten Clan. I will obtain my Juris Doctor & Juris Indigenarium here in lək̓ʷəŋən territory at the University of Victoria in the Spring of 2027. My primary focus is our Indigenous Ways of Knowing and the laws that govern us.
As part of my responsibilities as a water carrier, I assist in water advocacy and repairing water inequities as we know it has devastating effects on any community. I seek to grow equitable, sustainable spaces as we share the same land, air, and water as all living and non-living things. I am a mother, sister, and aunty, traditional drum and seed keeper. I use my drum to speak my truth and also to learn. We host weekly drum circles Mondays 4pm PST and would like to extend an invitation to all Indigenous Law Students to join us via zoom on an ongoing basis and start the week in a good way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/372239905142319/ We are all connected. Ekosi |
Hannah Johnson, Second Year RepresentativeWeyt-k Hannah ren skwekwst. Te Pellt’iq’t re st̓7é7kwen. I am Secwepemc from the Whispering Pines/ Clinton Indian Band. I received my Bachelor of Arts in History from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. I am currently a 2L at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Director of Finance and External Affairs for the Osgoode Indigenous Students Association (OISA), I was previously the 1L representative (2022-2023 term) for OISA. I also currently hold the position of Social Media Coordinator for the Osgoode Disability Collective. My interests include International law, Criminal Law and Wills and Estates.
I spent my summer in beautiful Treaty 3 Territory as a summer student for the Ministry of the Attorney General Criminal Law division in Ontario. Previously before law school, I worked as a Cultural Heritage Researcher and for my band as an Executive Assistant for Chief and Council. In my undergrad I was a committee member for the Philosophy, History and Politics Undergraduate Conference, a student representative for Academic Appeals and for the Anti-Racism Task Force. I am excited to be able to serve you as your Second Year Representative, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any issues you may have or just need a fellow 2L to vent to! |
Josie Slaughter, Third Year RepresentativeKwe' Ni'n Teluisi Josie Slaughter and I am honored and excited to be the 3L representative on NILSA's executive team this year! I come from Listuguj First Nation and have mixed ancestry (Mi'kmaq, English, and German). I completed the Creative Industries program at Toronto Metropolitan University and now I am studying at Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law. I am pursuing the Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Certificate and the Law and Technology Certificate alongside my JD. Additionally, I am currently the Communications Executive for the Dalhousie Indigenous Law Students Association. Outside of my legal studies, I have a keen interest in art, fashion, and business. I manage my own beadwork and clothing store called Blueberry Bead. I previously served as a business mentor for Cape Breton University's In.Business program, which focuses on supporting and empowering Indigenous youth interested in entrepreneurship.
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Gavon Cazon-Wilkes, Articling Student RepresentativeGavin is a Treaty 11, status, band member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation located in Fort Simpson, from the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories.
Gavin is passionate about family, the reclamation of a voice through educational environments, Indigenous advocacy, and Indigenous legal assertion. In the legal academic setting, he has worked towards fair representation in this type of system to make small - but meaningful - change towards healing, expansion of opportunities, and Indigenous legal preservation. He has had a seat on Indigenous committees, worked within varying Indigenous communities, and was previously a first-year representative on the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) (2020/21), ILSA Representative on the Law Students’ Association (2021/22), and Chair of ILSA (2022/23). For 2023/24 Gavin will be the Articling Student Representative on NILSA, and will seek to advocate for current articling and clerkship students while also working towards creating the next phase of students' legal journey a better one after law school. Now Gavin is an articling student with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, and seeks to develop a career in Indigenous law, self-governance, negotiation, Indigenizing colonial Western common law, and legal advocacy through a multi-juridical approach. |
Kyle Risby, Black/Indigenous Students RepresentativeDzenes Hoti'e, Kyle Risby Ushyeh, Estu Mable Williams, Ch'iyone Edaste'ehi, Victoria Nasde. Good day, I am Kyle Risby my grandmother is Mable Williams and I am from the Tahltan Nation and the Wolf Clan. I live in Victoria completing my final year of the JD/JID Indigenous Law program at the University of Victoria. I was born and raised in Whitehorse Yukon and I am of mixed ancestry, on my mom's side I am mixed English, Scottish, and Irish and on my dad's side, I am African American and Tahltan.
During my studies at UVic, I have become Tahltan's youth advisor on the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative helping my Nation create a land stewardship plan that our ancestors and future generations can be proud of. I hope that I can provide honorable and respectable service to you as the Black Indigenous rep on NILSA. |
Casey Caines, Indigenous Bar Association RepresentativeCasey is a Cree and Dene iskwew from Fort Nelson First Nation, but currently raises her two young daughters alongside her husband in Edmonton, AB. She recently graduated from the U of A and is clerking at the Alberta Court of Appeal before beginning her clerkship at the Supreme Court of Canada with Justice O’Bonsawin. She looks forward to returning to Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge to finish her articles.
Her passion is in the pursuit of reducing systemic inequalities and barriers to access from grassroots to global. This has led her to many community circles and projects. She is grateful to have found a family in all of her work. |
Dominga Robinson, Indigenous Bar Association RepresentativeHello, my name is Dominga Robinson, and I wanted to share a bit about myself. I come from a Nakota and Jamaican background, and I'm originally from the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nations in Treaty 4 Territory. I'm currently a 3L student at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. Before I entered law school, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the First Nations University of Canada – University of Regina. I also had the privilege of working in the cultural non-profit funding sector, where I collaborated with Indigenous communities to help preserve their traditional practices, culture, and language. I consider myself a dedicated and passionate individual with a strong desire to support Indigenous Peoples and their communities.
My journey in the field of service and advocacy began when I was just eighteen years old. I started volunteering for various organizations, such as Commonweal Community Arts and the Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association. I have been a participant on the Usask ILSA since my first year and have been in the position of President for the past two years. My involvement in organizations like the Pro Bono Law Students Association, the Rainbow Youth Centre (where I just completed my four-year term as Chair), and the Law Students Association’s Anti-Racism Task Force Committee are all opportunities I cherish, as they allow me to contribute and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. This is a fundamental principle that guides my actions. I've been fortunate to develop skills in legal research, client consultation, and project coordination, along with a proven ability to lead and communicate effectively. My extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and funding consultation highlights my commitment to community consultation and planning. I've been involved in numerous workshops and have served as a Teaching Assistant for the 1L Kwayestastatowin for the past three years, which reflects my dedication to helping others understand complex and sensitive subjects. My primary focus remains on making a positive impact on Indigenous communities through legal practice. Since October 2022, I've had the privilege of working at Sunchild Law, a firm that is dedicated to supporting Indigenous people and communities. I am committed to this work and look forward to continuing my journey in making a difference in the lives of those I serve. In my spare time, I take pleasure in participating in theatre productions and participating in ceremony. I enjoy spending time with my sister, niece, my moody cat, Muffy, and other beloved family and friends. |