Christian is Cree and Inuk. His mother is originally from Inukjuak, Nunavik, and his father is from Split Lake, Manitoba of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation. Christian is a 3rd year student at the University of Ottawa in the English Common Law Program. He holds a certificate in Media and Communications and a diploma in General Arts & Science from Algonquin College. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Law from Carleton University. Prior to law school, Christian was a Policy Advisor with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. He recently completed a Student Internship for the Honorable Senator, Brian Francis, at the Senate of Canada, and is an experienced facilitator for Indigenous community engagement with Avaanz Ltd. Christian served as summer student with First Peoples Law LLP ("FPL") in 2023 and will be returning to article at FPL in August of 2024. Christian is currently the Co-President and Treasurer of the Indigenous Law Student Governance ("ILSG") at the University of Ottawa.

Brooke Wakegijig is an Ojibwe & Odawa woman from Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve. She grew up in Thunder Bay, ON. She completed her undergraduate degree in Compressed Nursing at Lakehead University. Brooke worked as a law clerk for a criminal defence firm for two years before attending law school. She is passionate about helping her people.

Brooke is co-president of the Indigenous Law Students Governance. She has served as Vice President - Mentorship on ILSG in past years. She is currently a 3L student in the English Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa. Brooke will be articling at the Crown Attorney’s Office following graduation. She hopes to make a career in Criminal Appeals.

2023-24 Co-President, ILSG Alumni

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Victoria Byrne is a 3L in the English Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa. She is a Mi’kmaw woman from Qalipu First Nation in Newfoundland. She holds a B.A Honours in Law with a minor in English from Carleton University and a Law Clerk Diploma from Algonquin College. When not in school, she likes to go home whenever possible, to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to spend time outside at her favourite spots and swim at her favourite waterfall. She hopes to give back to her community and be an advocate wherever her career takes her.

Polsia Carrozza is Métis and Italian from Northern Ontario, with roots in Cochrane, Lake of the Woods and southern Saskatchewan. She is currently a 3L student in the Programme de droit canadien at the University of Ottawa and holds an Honours B.A in Psychology. She is on a journey of learning how to bead and speak Michif. She is passionate about Indigenous law and wants to work towards advocating for better protections of Indigenous knowledge within colonial Canadian IP laws.

Shelby is a 3L student in the English common law program. She is a Moon River Metis from Ontario. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science Honours from Queen’s University with a major in environmental science. Her undergraduate research focused on the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Jayna was born on the unceded traditional territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq in Newfoundland. She is a 3L common law student of Mi’kmaq-settler ancestry with roots on the west coast of Newfoundland, her father’s family being members of Q’alipu First Nation. She has been a student research associate since the summer of 2021 with Decolonizing Water, an Indigenous-led partnership committed to enhancing water protection and Indigenous water governance. Jayna is very excited and thankful to be a member of the ILSG executive this semester as the Vice President of Events before returning to St. John’s, NL, for articling.

Celina is a 3L student at uOttawa who supports the operational needs of ILSG. She believes in the role ILSG plays for Indigenous students and strives to provide the student body with resources to excel at and enjoy the common law program. Originally from Calgary, Celina is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Vancouver Island University and worked in Community and Indigenous Relations at a global engineering firm before starting law school. Celina has a passion for the outdoors and can be found hiking and skiing in her spare time.

Tawny Allison is a grad student, Anishanaabe Kwe from Bkejwanong First Nation. She has two sons - Bean, 4 and Bug, 1. They are the worlds sweetest chihuahuas and the loves of her life. She wants to practice child protection law after graduation, specifically working on Indigenous child welfare and self-determination.

Montana Cardinal is a Nehiyaw Apihtaw’Kosisan, German, and Hungarian iskwew (Woman), from Bigstone Cree Nation. She is also an interdisciplinary artist, Indigenous Legal Feminist, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Law at uOttawa. She holds a B.A. in Native Studies (University of Alberta), a J.D. with Specializations in Aboriginal Law, Environmental and Natural Resource Law, and Law and Social Justice (UBC), and a Master of Laws with a Specialization in Entertainment Law (UCLA). Her research interests include Nehiyaw Law, Indigenous Law and Legal Traditions, Art and Law, as well as Fashion, Intellectual Property, and Entertainment Law.

Tewateronhia:khwa Nelson is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) learner in the English Common Law program at the University of Ottawa - Faculty of Law. She holds a Honours Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University in Criminology and Criminal Justice and is working towards building a career in the intersection between Aboriginal Law and Criminal Law in order to seek social justice and address the current systemic barriers Indigenous peoples experience.

I am a Metis 2L student in the English Common Law program. Prior to law school, I completed my undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. I have focused on Indigenous related legal research and reconciliation efforts through my previous work experience. 

I would like to introduce myself. My spirit name is GINEW KWE (Golden Eagle Woman) I am from the Martin clan. My First Nations is Michipicoten located on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. I am a 2L Common Law English Indigenous Law Student and I am the Vice Pres of the Indigenous Law Student Governance “ILSG”. I was given traits from my spirit name and my spirit fly’s higher than the bald Eagle and its vision is more powerful and can see further. I honour my spirit with my advocacy skills.
I am passionate about many Indigenous issues but most importantly the over representation of Indigenous youth who are incarcerated, who are Crown wards, and who age out of care and become homeless. Youth are OUR future and our future LEADERS. I see it as my responsibility to share this knowledge about our Indigenous youth; not only to our community but more importantly to the non-native community & allies. I have made this my personal endeavour and will continue to advocate for Indigenous youth & share my knowledge. My future plans are to continue advocating for the Indigenous community from the courtroom...as a LAWYER. CHI MIIGWETCH.

Jason Tremblay is a 2L Indigenous learner in the Programme de droit canadien at the University of Ottawa—Faculty of Law. Being a non-status Indian from the province of Québec, he completed research in the field of philosophy and Indigenous self-determination. Jason also studied the fields of political science (UWO) and business administration (Loyalist College). Currently, Jason is a community leader with the Indigenous Law Student Governance and holds two positions as a research assistant; Revue générale de droit and Indigenous Legal Traditions Committee. His hope is to nourish the learning spirit through knowledge exchanges and an active engagement of the Indigenous legal traditions.

Taanishi, my name is Chanel Carlson and I am a Red River Métis and mixed European woman. I grew up in Winnipeg, MB on the Homeland of the Métis Nation and Treaty 1 territory. I am currently a 3L student in the University of Ottawa Common Law Program. Prior to law school I completed my B.A in Criminology with a minor in Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, and I also attended the University of Saskatchewan Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program. Upon graduating law school, I will be returning to my Homeland to practice law. As a person who walks in two worlds, I am constantly navigating between being an active participant in the Canadian legal system, while also maintaining my critical beliefs as to the system's failures, especially as it relates to equity seeking groups. My hope is to contribute towards the revitalization of Indigenous legal orders, while learning how the law may be used as a mechanism for change.

Mary McPherson is a daughter, sister, auntie, and a mixed Anishinaabe member of Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, where her family is from. She grew up in Thunder Bay, working as a visual artist in the community while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and Indigenous Learning at Lakehead University. She has since obtained a J.D. from the University of Ottawa, and is currently pursuing an LL.M. at Queen’s University, where she intends to explore issues in Aboriginal and Indigenous law. When she is not studying, Mary enjoys spending time with her loved ones, creating art, and being on the land.