Thank You to our 2022-2023 Executive!
Melinda Moch, President
Tawnsi! My name is Melinda Moch (she/her) and I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and am a current 2L at Robson Hall at the University of Manitoba. I am a mature student, and have five amazing children in various ages and stages of life. I am a past and current practicing Paralegal, working mostly in Municipal development matters. My love of law and learning motivated me to return to school, and I have not regretted it for a moment!
I was raised by a strong, beautiful mother and spent much of my summers with my mom and Aunties all over rural Manitoba, often pouring over photos and letters connecting us with lost family members over the years. My love of family and of the land was a great legacy that my mother left me, and one that I strive to leave for my own children. In my many years in law, I have seen the incredible economic growth potential that conscientious land development can bring to organizations, and I long to see that same incredible growth be experienced by Indigenous communities. In addition to Law School, raising my beautiful family, and my work as a Paralegal, I also spend as much time as possible in certain volunteer positions. I am a Board Member for the Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency and sit on the Indigenous Advisory Council with the Federation of Law Societies. I am absolutely thrilled to be NILSA’s President this year, and to serve Indigenous Law Students across Turtle Island. Miigwetch, marsi, I look forward to the coming year! Megan Reti, Vice-President FinanceMegan Reti is NILSA's VP Finance. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She is a second year student at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, where she is the Finance Co-Chair of the Indigenous Law Students Association.
Vaughn Beaulieu-Mercredi, First Year Representativetân'si kahkiyaw! My name is Vaughn Beaulieu-Mercredi and I am a 1L at UBC's Peter A. Allard School of Law and this year's 1L Representative for NILSA. I am Cree-Métis from Treaty 8 in what is now northern Alberta and I have a very strong interest in constitutional law, its intersection with Indigenous and Aboriginal law and how Canada might find a new structure of itself to support true reconciliation and Land Back.
Before starting at UBC for law school, I graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Native Studies, as well as a Certificate in Indigenous Governance and Partnership. In my free time I am procrastinating my readings by hanging out with friends or exploring what Vancouver has to offer. I am ecstatic to be able to serve you as your 1L representative and please don't hesitate to reach out to me regarding any issues you may be having! Kyle Jordan Risby, Black/Indigenous 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 Wolf Clan and I am living in Victoria. I am a third year student in the joint 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.
I started my post-secondary education at Yukon University completing the Northern Criminal Justice Diploma, I was an Indigneous Court Worker for the Council of Yukon First Nations where I was appointed the Yukon Rep for the National Action Committee on Access to Justice. I then finished my Undergraduate Degree at Royal Roads University. 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 honourable and respectable service to you as the Black-Indingeous rep on NILSA. Brendan Schatti, Indigenous Bar Association RepresentativeBrendan Schatti is mixed descent Ojibway and Swiss from Lac Seul First Nation in Treaty 3. Brendan's upbringing was predominantly in southern Ontario were he raised Rocky Mountain Elk with his family. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 2010, earning a Bachelor's degree with high distinction and a specialization in philosophy. After a nearly decade-long career in hospitality and international cocktail-bartending, he is currently a second year law student at Osgoode Hall Law School with a particular interest in treaty litigation and Indigenous self-governance initiatives. In his spare time, Mr. Schatti is a memgwesi enthusiast, enjoys learning trade skills, and tries to spend as much time as possible living on the land.
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Shelby Sinclair, Vice-President First NationsAaniin, Shelby Sinclair ndizhinikaaz. Pinaymootang ndoonjii. I am an Anishinaabekwe from Treaty 2 territory. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Psychology in 2020 from the University of Winnipeg. I am currently a 2L at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall. I chose to run for Vice-President First Nations because I am passionate about advocating for my people and I strongly believe that when we are given the opportunity, we can all succeed and do great things for the entire Indigenous nation. Miigwetch!
Brooke Cross-Worobec, Communications OfficerBrooke Cross-Worobec is a Métis-Settler woman currently in her first year of law at the University of Saskatchewan, and was fortunate enough to take part in their summer law program (2022) for Indigenous students. She was raised in Saskatoon, SK on Treaty 6 territory. Her undergraduate studies are in Business, majoring in Human Resources.
Brooke became involved with student governance during her first year of law school, sitting as the 1L Student Representative for the College’s Indigenous Law Students’ Association (2022-2023) and as a Communications Officer on the National Indigenous Students’ Association (2022-2023). She is a program facilitator at Level, delivering programming that levels the barriers to justice by building empathy, increasing equity, and advancing social justice. Additionally she is a teaching assistant in the Kwayeskastasowin course at the College of Law. She is currently interviewing at numerous law firms in Canada, to further her legal knowledge and experience this upcoming summer. Brooke’s broad legal interests are Criminal Law, Aboriginal Law, and Corporate Law. She is interested in helping marginalized and disadvantaged groups throughout her legal career, and is committed to ensuring her work aligns with the goals of truth and reconciliation. In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with family, her two cats, and outdoors. Sarah Schmaus, Second Year RepresentativeSarah Schmaus is a Métis woman, who recently completed 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.
Sarah held the Internal Communications Officer position for the National Indigenous Law Students’ Association across Canada in the 2021-2022 academic year. She recently was elected to serve on their executive council as their 2nd Year Law Student Representative for the 2022-2023 academic year. This year she will be serving her second consecutive term in 2022-2023 as Vice President External for Level Justice at their USask chapter. In 2021-2022, Sarah volunteered through Level at their Indigenous Youth Outreach Program and will continue this volunteerism in her second year of law. Sarah will be helping take over the IYOP program in Saskatoon this year as one of their program coordinators. Sarah is also the Vice President Internal for the Indigenous Law Students’ Association at the University of Saskatchewan. Sarah spent her summer employed through the Aboriginal Law Summer Student Program under the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario where she worked for Crown prosecution in their Criminal Law division. She is one of eight members to serve on the Indigenous Advisory Council for the Federation of Law Societies of Canada which is committed to ensuring their work aligns with the goals of truth and reconciliation and that their initiatives are informed by Indigenous perspectives. She will help inform policies governing the 14 provincial and territorial law societies that regulate Canada’s legal profession in the public interest. Sarah takes prides in her community involvement—having contributed over 450 hours of volunteerism over the past 5 years. Anita Cardinal, Articling Student RepresentativeAnita Cardinal is Nêhiyaw (Cree) and a member of Woodland Cree First Nation situated on Treaty 8 Territory but currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her family. Anita is also an ultra trail runner, a wife, mother to 3 sons and kokum to 4-year-old Niko - and on her way to becoming a lawyer as a Student-at-Law at Cooper Regel LLP in Sherwood Park where she aims to work towards justice for Indigenous peoples. She is the former President of the Indigenous Law Students Association at the University of Alberta 2020-2022 and served as President of the National Indigenous Law Students Association in 2020-2021 and currently sits on the Indigenous Bar Association is the founder of Indigenous Runner YEG and the Race Director for Every Child Matters Run/Walk in Edmonton every September 30th.
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 is in her final year of the Juris Doctor program at the U of A, a research assistant for Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge, and legal researcher for her nation. She will be articling at the Alberta Court of Appeal before returning to Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge.
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 including as the current Vice-President External of the Indigenous Law Student Association at the U of A, IBA Student Rep of the National Indigenous Law Student Association, co-chair of the Impact advisory at Colleges and Institutes of Canada, as a board member for the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, and as co-founder of The Medicine Box Project and Waniska Leaders which bring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants together in traditional knowledge revitalization. |
Sage Hartman, Vice-President MétisTaanishi (hello), Sage dishinihkaashoon, and I am Manitoba Métis from the Red River Métis Nation.
Currently, I am in my first year at Osgoode Hall, and am the 1L representative for the Osgoode Indigenous Student Association (OISA). Before law, I completed an Honours BA in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, with an interdisciplinary minor in Community Engagement and Indigenous studies at McMaster University. At Mac, I held various positions across the Institution with the primary focus of advancing Indigenous initiatives and creating opportunities to centre Indigenous voices & perspectives. Some random facts about me—when I’m not drowning in readings, I like to practice my beading and find new trails to hike. Kate Anderson, Communications OfficerTansi, bonjour, hello! Kate Anderson ni sakason 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 Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Certificate and a combined Master of Information (Library Science) and Juris Doctor. I currently act as both Vice President of Finance and Law Student Society Representative on the executive board of the Dalhousie Indigenous Law Students Association.
I am passionate about Indigenous rights and legal issues. Even though I am not studying in my traditional territory, I want to use my time at law school to build connections with other Indigenous law students, learn more about Indigenous issues within the legal system, and amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives. I hope to use my experience and education to give back to the Métis Nation and to promote Indigenous interests across Canada. Being able to sit on 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. Sarah Turcotte (Johnson), Third Year RepresentativeHello! My name is Sarah Turcotte (Johnson). I am a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and current 3L at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. I grew up on a farm North of Valleyview, Alberta, but my roots trace back to the Red River. My family and community are incredibly important to me, and I am eager to return home to Northern Alberta to complete my article in 2023.
I worked at the Métis Nation of Alberta in Youth Programming for two years after receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In this position, I implemented and facilitated cultural and life skills programming for Métis youth across the province. I continue to stay involved with the Métis Nation of Alberta and work to educate people on the unique culture and identity of the Métis. I personally know how difficult the adjustment to law school can be, and I hope that we can make progress in making law school more accessible and more comfortable for Indigenous students. Based on the inspiring law students, lawyers, and academics that I have met thus far, I have high hopes that this goal. In my free time, I enjoy being outside (especially camping and kayaking), and spending time with my family and with my dogs, Opie and Elliot. Mayhève Clara Rondeau, French/Civil Law RepresentativeMy name is Mayhève and I am Moose Cree on my mother’s side and French on my father’s side. I am in the joint degree program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders at the University of Victoria. I am originally from Treaty 9 territory (northern Ontario) but have explored the GTA for competitive swimming and unceded unsurrended Algonquin territory for university. I may not come from a civil law program, but I will work to empower Indigenous students within civil law programs across the country.
Before coming to law school, I completed a BSc in Human Kinetics (in French) with a minor in Indigenous Studies. I also had the opportunity to obtain a certificate in Gladue writing. These experiences coupled with my involvement with the Indigenous student body at uOttawa have largely informed my decision to apply to law school. I come from a research background in Indigenous health, food-sovereignty, and governance. Before law school, I swam varsity for the University of Ottawa where I was a member of the first-ever Black Student Athlete Advocacy Council as a First Nations liaison. Seeing first-hand how Indigenous peoples are underrepresented within the sporting world and mainstream literature informed my curiosity about Indigenous representation within the legal profession. I was drawn to learning more about initiatives in place to dismantle some longstanding barriers fueled by the Indian Act. I also became passionate about researching ways to respectfully infuse Indigenous Legal Orders to the criminal justice system in culturally safe ways. I have spent the last four years working closely with the Indigenous Affairs staff at the University of Ottawa providing policy and programming recommendations and supporting Indigenous students throughout their studies. Our work consisted of ensuring incoming and returning Indigenous students had the resources and supports to excel in their progams. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from local Algonquin community members. These experiences continue to inform my positionality and my passion for wanting to learn the true reality of Canadian law. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring wellness practices and working on outreach in my @theoutsider.inlaw.blog for prospective Indigenous law students and outsiders. I am so excited to be part of this team. I am looking forward to what this year has in store! |