Thank You to our 2021-2022 Executive Members
Ethan Guthro
President Tawnshi! Ethan Guthro dishinikawshon. I am a third-year law student at Osgoode Hall and this year’s President of NILSA. I am a member of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and I have a strong interest in the intersection of commercial law and Indigenous economies. My family is from northern Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia but I have lived in numerous cities throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Before coming to law school, I graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019, as well as from a concurrent certificate program in Sustainable Communities from the USask School of Environment and Sustainability. At Osgoode, I am the Co-Chair of our Indigenous Students Association (OISA) and the Director of Production of the Osgoode Hall Law Journal. I spent the summer of 2021 working in-house at a large investment management organization in Toronto and post-3L, I will be returning to Calgary to complete my articles with a national full-service firm. I look forward to serving you as the President of NILSA over the next year. If you have any ideas for NILSA-backed initiatives, are looking to collaborate with NILSA for future projects, or just want to chat, send me a message! Casey Caines
Vice President First Nations Casey Caines is Cree and Dene originally from Northern British Columbia and a member of Fort Nelson First Nations. She is a second-year law student at the University of Alberta, and research assistant for Wahkotowin Law & Governance Lodge. As an Indigenous woman and mother of two young girls she is passionate about reducing systemic inequalities and barriers to access. She’s been fortunate enough to work alongside various organizations and community leaders to further this important work including as current VP-External for U of A’s ILSA, as a board member for the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, and as co-creator of The Medicine Box Project and Waniska Leaders. It’s an honour to get to serve the community in this way, and she is looking forward to learning, growing, and advancing Indigenous issues both within the institution and beyond this year!
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Jasmine Radfern
Vice President Inuit Jasmine Elisapi Redfern graduated with great distinction from the Nunavut Law Program with the University of Saskatchewan, making her part of the second generation to earn a law degree in Inuit Nunangat. During her studies, Jasmine won awards for academic achievement and community involvement. Highlights of her academic career include competing twice in the Gale Moot Cup- taking home awards each year she participated, being appointed to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal, serving two terms as Vice-President of the Nunavut Law Student Society, and testifying before the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on the unique intersections of violence experienced by LGBTQ2S+ communities. She also had fun stepping into her new life phase as an auntie, co-facilitating the Sexy Health Carnival with the Native Youth Sexual Health Network which provided sexual and reproductive health programming to Nunavut Arctic College and Inuksuk High School students.
Jasmine is articling with Lawson Lundell LLP and Maliiganik Legal Aid. She is the current Chair of the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal, Treasurer to Amautiit Inuit Women’s Association, and Advisory Committee Member to the Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience Fund. When she’s not hunched over a computer or nose deep in books, Jasmine can be found practising yoga or crafting up a storm with her two kidlets. Jasmine strives to live as a love letter to her community and to make each space she enters more accessible and welcoming to those who follow. Mary Mcpherson
Vice President Finance Mary is a daughter, sister, cousin, auntie, and a member of Couchiching First Nation in northwestern Ontario. She grew up in Thunder Bay, working as an artist while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and Indigenous Learning. Mary is currently in her third year of English Common Law at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about Indigenous worldviews and sovereignty as they relate to the Canadian state. When she is not working on school, Mary enjoys spending time with her loved ones, creating art, and being out on the land.
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Julia Hutlet Vice President Metis Julia Hutlet is the current Vice President (Métis) of NILSA. She is proudly Métis from Red River and currently resides on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation and Coast Salish peoples. In 2020, Julia graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in Sociology after writing her Honours thesis “Manitoba Métis Displacement: The Settler Colonial Impact on Métis Culture and Identity”. She is currently a 2L student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law (UBC).
Through years of practice and guidance, Julia has become a leader in her community. She has developed essential leadership skills from the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment program and the Neechiwaken Peer Mentorship program at the University of Manitoba. In 2019, Julia worked with the Louis Riel Institute at Riel House National Historic site, where she worked closely with Elders and members of the Manitoba Métis community. In 2020, Julia was a Manitoba 150 Youth Ambassador in partnership with Volunteer Manitoba, where she advocated on the importance of virtual beadwork circles in the Manitoba Métis community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate community connections and healing. In March 2021, Julia spoke to law makers in the House of Commons about the under-representation and tokenism of Indigenous women in the legal and political fields and gave several media interviews on these issues affecting Indigenous women in Canada, including an interview on CPAC (the Cable Public Affairs Channel). Julia is currently an Indspire Rivers to Success Mentor, an Indigenous Ambassador for the Peter A. Allard School of Law, and a beadwork artisan in her spare time. |
Council
Sarah Schmaus Internal Communications Sarah Schmaus is a Métis woman in her first year of law at the University of Saskatchewan and was fortunate enough to take part in their summer law program for Indigenous students. She grew up in Kindersley, Saskatchewan on her farm, but her family originates from Peepeekisis as well as Muscowpetung First Nation in Treaty 4 territory. Her major was sociology in her undergraduate studies and she hopes to complete the last four classes of her 4 year Bachelor of Arts and Science degree this summer. She currently is the Vice President External for Level Justice at their USask Chapter and the theme their chapter chose for their panel this year was the need to Indigenize the Canadian legal system. She recently started volunteering at the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program organized by Level Justice and has contributed over 400 volunteer hours in her community over the last five years.
She enjoys beading, travelling, spending time with family, as well as learning about her culture. Coming from a sociological background, she hopes to help those who face systemic barriers during her law career. Alisen Kotyk
Second Year Representative NILSA is proud to introduce its 2021/2022 Executive Team:
Hi, taanishi! My name is Alisen Kotyk and I am Métis-Ukrainian from the Winnipeg region, Kinew local. Currently, I am a 2L at the University of Manitoba and am grateful to be NILSA’s Second Year Representative. Law school is a strange place and can often feel disingenuous. For me, NILSA was a reprieve from this environment and a place I could connect with students who were kind, supportive, and open. My hope is that other students will also find a sense of community here while they’re working towards their JDs. So please, be sure you come out to the IBA Conference in October and visit! Anita Cardinal-Stewart
Indigenous Bar Association Representative Anita Cardinal-Stewart is Nehiyaw Iskwew, a proud member of Woodland Cree First Nations #474 situated on Treaty 8 territory and a 3rd-year law student at the University of Alberta where she is in her second term as President of the Indigenous Law Students Association and shares this years presidency as co-president with Amanda Wagar (new 3L NlLSA Rep). She served as President of NILSA last term and is looking forward to supporting the new executive as she completes her second term as the Student Representative on the Indigenous Bar Association executive board. A mom to three sons and a kohkum to 3-year-old Niko she is an advocate for Indigenous rights and youth Indigenous initiatives and is especially passionate about ultra trail running. She is the founder of Indigenous Runner YEG and most days you can find her training for her next race on the beautiful Edmonton river valley trails in Treaty 6 territory.
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Melinda Moch
External Communications “Tawnshi kiyawow, Melinda Moch dishinikawshon.. Hello, how are you all, my name is Melinda Moch and I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am a proud Red River Metis and am a current 1L at Robson Hall, University of Manitoba. I am happy to be your new External Communications Officer for NILSA. I cannot truly express how honoured I am to be in a “room” with such amazing people! I am inspired by their passion, I am motivated by their work ethic, and I am humbled by their welcoming grace and community spirit.
I have spent over a decade with a career in Law, first as a Legal Assistant and later as a Paralegal. In those years, I discovered my love of the land and my practice as a Commercial & Financing Paralegal speaks to that love. My love of the Law spurred my decision to take the obvious next step in returning to school and, while challenging, it is one of the best decisions I have made. In addition to my love of the land, I am passionate about human rights – especially those of Indigenous women and children. While not working or attending Law School, I am raising my five beautiful children, volunteering with various organizations, or relaxing with my two Golden Retrievers. There is truly never a dull moment!” Amanda Wagar Third Year Representative Amanda is a proud member of the Metis Nation of Alberta, and a 3rd year law student. Amanda has a deep passion for criminal law and helping Indigenous peoples navigate the criminal justice system. Before law school, Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice, and prior to returning to University, Amanda was a legal assistant. Although she returned to University as a mature student, her life and work experience has cultivated a unique set of skills which she has successfully utilized from tackling exam season to establishing a work-life balance.
Amanda is a single mother to two beautiful children. She is often found working on various pieces of art, crochet projects, beading, or crafts with her kids. She enjoys baking on the weekends, watching funny movies, and relaxing in her hammock. Brendan Schatti
Indigenous Bar Association Representative |
Janine Nanimahoo
First Year Representative My name is Janine Nanimahoo. I am the new 1L representative. I am a nehiyaw iskwew from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory. I also serve as the 1L speaker series co-chair for ILSA at the University of Alberta.
I told myself that if I got accepted into Law school that I would be involved in any way possible within the Indigenous community. I want to establish relationships all over turtle island, help advocate for Indigenous Law students and Indigenous issues. I am excited to learn about the interests of Indigenous Peoples within the legal profession. I am ever so grateful to be part of the team. |