Indigenous Law Student Scholarship

Winner

Raven Richards

Raven Richards is a mother and law student from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Having grown up in her community, Raven has been privileged to live and understand the strengths and challenges many Indigenous communities experience and is keen on using her community and legal perspectives to help her future clients achieve their goals. Her favourite pastime is embarking on new experiences with her three young sons. This fall of 2023, Raven is enrolled in her third and final year of the Juris Doctor program at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall Faculty of Law. 

tanisi, 

I would like to express my gratitude to First Peoples Law for making this scholarship available to Indigenous students. I feel incredibly honoured to have been selected as this year’s recipient. Offering this scholarship is a generous investment in the future and prosperity of Indigenous people – whom I and many other soon-to-be Indigenous lawyers anticipate working with and for. 

From a young age, it has been my priority to work in a role where I can contribute to the advancement of Indigenous people’s collective interests. I am entering the profession during a transformative time where the autonomy of Indigenous nations is becoming increasingly prevalent, and the revitalization of Indigenous laws is often at the fore of this work. Our nations are inherently equipped with our own distinct cultural attributes, legal orders, governance structures, and communal knowledge bases, and I look forward to working with nation clients to draw from these systems to address and support contemporary needs. 

This scholarship will significantly help me to reach my goal of returning support to the Indigenous community, as my own community has taught, influenced, guided, and inspired me throughout my life. 

tapwe kiche

Photo Credit: Gin Ouksun Photography

Finalist

Sophia Sidarous

My name is Sophia Sidarous and I am Mi’kmaq from Metepenagiag First Nation. I am in my third year at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, and bring forth a special perspective as a protector of my Nation against all that encroach upon our rights, freedom and dignity. I am very motivated to revitalize traditional Mi’kmaq laws and structures, which can provide a new but ancient way to deal with complex issues for self-government and determination of all Nations. I am very grateful to be honoured and recognized by First Peoples Law, and to stand alongside the winner of this year's award. 

Wela’lioq! 

Photo Credit: Nicole Lapierre Photography

Honourable Mentions

Tyler Ermineskin

Tansi,  

First, I will open this space by locating myself as an Indigenous man who is of Nehiyaw/Cree descent. I come from the traditional territory of Treaty Six; specifically, Neyaskweyak/Ermineskin Cree Nation. Further, my English Name is Tyler Ermineskin; and my Cree name is Nihkamo Pehyesis which means Singing Bird; this is significant to my place and relation to the world around me as I have always been comfortable in changing my environment and holding steadfast to the vision given to me from Kisemanito (God). My past experience and my current work is in the areas of Treaty, Governance, assertion of Nehiyaw rights (given from Kisemanito) and Rights of the Indigenous Child. As shown, when I was honoured to lead my Nation in the areas of industry, social programming development (In Treaty Six and Seven), child law development (under the Act former Bill C92) and the recent acquisition of the highest shares in a schedule 1 bank. I have attended the 83rd and 84th sessions of the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland as an advocate and as a speaker. It is truly an honour to be chosen as an Honourable Mention with First Peoples Law and my prayer is that more Indigenous people take up space in these areas.  

Ninanâskamon 

Jaxxen Wiley

St'li kwunnus uy' huy'ch'qa First Peoples Law. I' tsun sme'thun  I'tsun uy honourable mention. Hwunitum Nas Sne, Jaxxen Wylie, Hul'q'umi'num Hwulmuhw Nas Sne, Sialhton exwe'et suniw tu thi lelum. Tu ni tsun utl Stz'uminus First Nation i' snuneymuxw i' Cedar. St'li kwunnus tuymt JD/JID Education hwu-alum snuwuyulh exwe'et mustimuhw i' jurisdiction sc'u'ce qa' i' tumuhw.  
 

I want to say a good thank you to First Peoples Law, as I am proud to be included as an Honourable Mention for this award. My white guy name is Jaxxen Wylie, and my Hul'q'umi'num peoples name is Sialhton which was given to me in the Big House ceremony. I am a member of Stz'uminus First Nation and grew up on our traditional territories in what is now called the Cedar district of Nanaimo and in Snuneymuxw territory in South Nanaimo. I hope to use my JD/JID Legal Education to help in the return and revitalization of our Coast Salish Legal Order and jurisdiction on our lands and waters. 

Mayhève Rondeau

Waciye, my name is Mayhève Clara Rondeau (she/her) and I am a member of Moose Cree First Nation in Treaty 9 territory. I am Cree through my mother and French through my father. I am in my second year of the JD/JID program at UVic, and I didn’t even consider law school as a possibility for myself growing up. I now work to empower other first-gen and Indigenous law students through my Outsider in Law initiative. I’m also drawn to Indigenous Health Governance and human rights. I am unsure where exactly this law school journey will take me, but I know I will use my voice to advocate for Indigenous folks, Nations and organizations. I am honoured to stand alongside this year's winners - thank you First Peoples Law for the honourable mention and for supporting Indigenous students throughout their legal journeys. 

Congratulations to Casey Caines!

Listen to our podcast episode featuring a conversation between Casey and 2021 winners Anita Cardinal-Stewart and Mary McPherson: Reclaiming the Law Part 4: Indigenous Law Students in Conversation.

Casey Caines is a Cree and Dene woman, mother of two young girls, an advocate from Fort Nelson First Nation on Treaty 8 Territory and a third-year law student at the University of Alberta.  

Tansi Nîtôtemtik, 

It is truly an honour to be this year’s recipient of the First Peoples Law scholarship - the encouragement and support that this award provides is immeasurable and I am grateful beyond measure to be recognized in this space and in this way. I stand alongside so many previous and current recipient’s and applicants whose work, activism, and vision for their communities continue to inspire my own.  I have been fortunate enough to work in many of these spaces, alongside many of these incredible leaders bringing awareness to Indigenous issues and finding community-engaged solutions.  

As I look to graduation, Indigenous and Aboriginal law is where my heart is, and where I hope to make a meaningful contribution by working to reduce inequalities and barriers to access within the legal system. By empowering communities to reclaim and revitalize laws rooted in their traditional knowledge I believe that we can begin to appreciate our multi-juridical nation in ways that will dismantle the colonial systems that continue to oppress Indigenous peoples and provide space for true reconciliation. While my future holds many unknowns, I know that wherever my legal education takes me will always be in reciprocity with community, and I will continue to use it to advocate for systemic change. 

--Casey Caines

Photo credit: Cole Crane

Honourable Mentions

Darian Lonechild

Tansi, my name is Darian Lonechild, and I am a Nêhiyaw woman from the White Bear First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. I am a third-year law student at the University of Saskatchewan. My purpose is to work in Indigenous law and dedicate myself to advancing the interests of First Nations in the prairies. I hope to focus on Treaty/inherent rights, self-government, and economic development.  Thank you to First Peoples Law for an honourable mention and the encouragement to be a part of this important work. 

Sophia Sidarous

Kwe’ msit wen! My name is Sophia Sidarous and I am a Mi’kmaq land defender and water protector from Metepenagiag First Nation. I am in my second year at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, and am particularly interested in reviatlizing Mi’kmaq traditional laws and structures. Advocating for sovereignty, self-governance, and justice for our nations are very critical to me. I am honoured to be recognized by First Peoples Law and to stand alongside the winner of this year's award! Wela’lioq. 

Congratulations to Anita Cardinal-Stewart and Mary McPherson!

Listen to our podcast episode featuring a conversation between Anita, Mary and 2020 winner Taryn Hamilton: Reclaiming the Law Part 3: Indigenous Law Students in Conversation.

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 currently the President of the Indigenous Law Students Association, and also serves as the President of the National Indigenous Law Students Association and sits as a Student Representative on the Indigenous Bar Association.

Tansi, I am both humbled and honored to be a recipient of this year's scholarship from First Peoples Law who are doing amazing work in the legal field. I know I stand among so many other worthy and remarkable Indigenous law students from across the nation and each and every one of them deserves every recognition and every possibility of success and I am just grateful to be one of them. Law school is filled with many experiences, some of them good some of them not so good but when we have a strong community and we stand together as Indigenous law students, we can make a change to legal education and of the practice of law that will be in accordance with our laws and our ways. So, let's walk together in this journey towards Indigenous Nationhood and Sovereignty and pay it forward any chance we get. I promise to always do that and make each day, every day meaningful. Hiy Hiy Kinanaskomiti.

--Anita Cardinal-Stewart

Photo credit: Tristan Talalee

Mary is a daughter, sister, auntie, and an Ojibway member of Couchiching First Nation. 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 law at the University of Ottawa.

I am sincerely appreciative to be selected as a recipient of the First Peoples Law Scholarship. I am just one voice of many brilliant Indigenous law students, and I am comforted to see the various ways Indigenous law students are advancing changes for their communities. My people have a unique worldview that offers an entirely different way of understanding the world; however, we continue to face oppression, socio-economic disadvantage, and misperceptions of who we are. I look forward to continuing on a journey where I can assist in the wellbeing of my communities, and I am grateful for First Peoples Law’s support. Miigwetch.

--Mary McPherson

Photo credit: Sarah McPherson

Honourable Mentions

Laura Beaudry

Tansi, my name is Laura Beaudry and I am Nêhiyaw and Métis from Grouard, Alberta. I grew up on the Kapawe’no First Nation, also surrounded by my family’s Métis Settlements; Peavine and Gift Lake. I am a third-year law student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law. I look forward to working for Indigenous peoples, particularly where sovereignty and self-governance are concerned. This includes treaty rights, Métis law, and Aboriginal rights and title. I am honoured to stand alongside the winners of this award! Thank you to First Peoples Law for your recognition of strong Indigenous leaders and future lawyers.

Kaelyn Macaulay

Tanshi! My name is Kaelyn Macaulay and I am a Métis woman from Alberta. I am in the 3rd year of my BCL/JD studies at McGill University and I have been using the transsystemic focus to connect my studies with diverse Indigenous legal traditions. I aim to promote Indigenous perspectives on campus as the VP of Diversity and Inclusion for the McGill Business Law Association and as an active team member for Rooted, McGill’s Indigenous law journal. I am hoping to build my legal career as a bridge that fosters respect and prosperity between Indigenous interests and the corporate sector.

Brianna Morrison

Tawnshi! My name is Brianna Morrison, and I am a Métis Cree woman from Edmonton, Alberta. I am a first-year JD candidate at the University of Toronto. I chose to pursue law to be in a position where I can advance better standards of care for Indigenous Peoples within the Canadian healthcare system. My passion for health law is a personal one stemming from witnessing my father’s treatment by healthcare professionals. I aspire to be an advocate for patients’ rights and a facilitator for a greater incorporation of Indigenous traditional healing practices and medicines. I am immensely grateful to First Peoples Law for an honourable mention.

Congratulations to Taryn Hamilton!

Listen to our podcast episode featuring a conversation between Taryn and First Peoples Law articled student Charlotte Rose: Reclaiming the Law Part 2: Indigenous Law Students in Conversation.

Taryn, Nēhîthâwâk (Woodland Cree) is a proud member of the Barren Lands First Nation and a second-year law student enrolled in the Joint Degree Program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders at the University of Victoria.

I will become a First Nations lawyer who works for and advocates for our youth, missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men, and boys, and all of our brothers and sisters who continue to be disproportionately impacted by the Canadian justice system. In the future I hope to create effective law reform to help solve the over-representation of Indigenous people incarcerated. As a Nēhîthâwâk Iskwew I value the importance of restorative justice and finding new means of healing and justice through Cree law. I full heartedly believe that our Cree law, our own Nations traditional ways of knowing - will heal our people.

I am immensely grateful to be this year’s recipient of the First Peoples Law scholarship. I would like to acknowledge and celebrate every applicant who applied, I’m so proud of every single one of you. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. I know how hard it can be to navigate your way through law school, and I’m very proud to be on this journey alongside so many amazing Indigenous soon-to-be lawyers. Our voices are invaluable, we are the catalyst for change and our knowledge can change the world. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the folks at First Peoples Law, thank you for your support and encouragement, I am grateful for your help.

Kinanâskomitin (Thank you).

--Taryn Hamilton

Honourable Mentions

Jodi Hancheroff

Tanisi, my name is Jodi Hancheroff and I am a Woodland Cree woman from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan. I am a second-year law student and currently President of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. I am passionate about the Cree culture and academia. I dream of working in the field of Indigenous law (i.e. resource development, Treaty/inherent rights and environmental law) and of eventually returning to my Northern community to open my own practice. I am truly grateful for the opportunity from First Peoples Law, tiniki.

Candace Charlie

‘Uy’ Skweyul (Good Day), my name is Candace Charlie. I come from the Kwa’mutsun (Quamichan) village of the Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan People). I am in my third year of part-time studies in the JD program at the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law, and I work part-time for my First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, in its Lulumexun Lands & Self-Governance Department. I hope to use my law degree in whatever way I can to best assist Indigenous communities to grow and prosper on their own terms and according to their own vision.

Congratulations to Tagalik Eccles and Saul ‘Hazil’hba Brown!

Listen to our podcast episode featuring a conversation between Tagalik, Saul and First Peoples Law articled student Charlotte Rose: Reclaiming the Law: Indigenous Law Students in Conversation.

Tagalik Eccles is from Rankin Inlet (Kangiqtiniq) and in her final year of law school in the Nunavut Law Program in Iqaluit.

For the past two summers, she has worked with Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council, creating a closer connection with people in her community and learning what is needed for individuals and families to thrive. Tagalik also sits on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council.

I am extremely grateful to be a recipient of the First Peoples Law Scholarship, and look forward to serving Inuit and Indigenous people upon completion of my Juris Doctor in Law. We are often not taken seriously within the justice department, and I hope that Inuit would feel more comfortable working with a lawyer who is Inuk and understands living in Nunavut, ensuring that they are properly represented. Despite the stereotypes and socioeconomic differences of Indigenous people in Canada, we are still here, furthering our education, making changes in our communities and breaking the cycle of intergenerational traumas.

--Tagalik Eccles

Saul ‘Hazil’hba Brown is from the Nuu-chah-nulth and Heiltsuk Nations and a second-year law student in the Joint Degree Program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders at the University of Victoria.

As food sovereigntist and a student of Heiltsuk Gvi’ilas (laws) and governance, he sees the intrinsic value and necessity of giving effect to Heiltsuk laws out on the water and land. He has worked with elders on numerous files with the intent of breathing life into Heiltsuk ancestral law in the contemporary. Saul is also the former negotiator for the Heiltsuk reconciliation process and has worked as governance advisor for First Nations across the province.

I am immensely grateful for receiving this scholarship from First Peoples Law as I continue my education in making the space for Indigenous legal systems to flourish within what is now known as Canada. I decided to pursue a law degree to give effect to Heiltsuk law out on the waters and lands from which they came. Despite ongoing colonialism and the imposition of the Canadian legal system over Indigenous peoples and territories, Heiltsuk laws have not disappeared: they are alive and well. It is my dream to see Heiltsuk jurisdiction over my Heiltsuk home. To bring balance back to my home and make it whole again for future generations.

--Saul ‘Hazil’hba Brown