Our Team

Called to the bar in 2023, Hero is a Senior Researcher with the Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge and is pursuing an LLM at the University of Alberta. With over 15 years of experience in organizations from the grassroots to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat at the Government of Canada, Hero has worked with many groups on law and social systems reform. They currently serve on the leadership teams of Volunteer Alberta, the River City Venture Clinic and the Digital Law & Innovation Society. Previously, they co-founded Connect the Sector, acted as a start-up staff member of the Ontario Nonprofit Network, and co-founded the River Valley Free School, a skills sharing community in Amiskwacîwâskahikan / Edmonton, on Treaty 6 territory, where they live. You can find Hero hanging out with rocks and trees, meditating, making art and cuddling with family. Pronouns: they/them

Gavin 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).

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.

Siobhan is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and has grown up in Treaty 6 Territory. She is a Juris Doctor candidate who has just finished second year, and is excited to be a research assistant for the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge. Siobhan is passionate about Indigenous, queer, and feminist issues. She has been part of the Indigenous Law Students' Association (ILSA) as a general member, the Administration and Coordination Co-Chair, and now the External Co-Chair. Many of her favourite law school memories have revolved around experiences and relationships built through ILSA and the Lodge, and she is grateful to continue learning from, and working with, Indigenous peers, leaders, teachers, and allies. In the summer her favourite places to be are playing rugby with friends and spending time with family at the lake.

Casey will be completing her articles with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge and the Alberta Court of Appeal, as well as undertaking a clerkship with the Supreme Court of Canada.

Casey 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 a recent graduate of the University of Alberta Juris Doctor program, an articling student with Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge, and Special Project Governance Coordinator and legal researcher for her nation.

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 outgoing Co-Chair External of the Indigenous Law Student Association, Indigenous Bar Association Student Representative with the National Indigenous Law Students Association, 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. This work has gifted her with the opportunity to speak in engagements from the Youth G7 Summit to the United Nations Environmental Programme. It is truly an honour to have found a home and a family in all of her work.

Rebekah (Bex) is Cree from Waterhen Lake First Nation in Treaty 6, and German with other unknown settler origins. Born in Treaty 1, she lived in four different Treaty areas growing up.

Rebekah studied physics at the University of Alberta. After much consideration, she decided to go to law school with the desire to increase equity in the justice system, to work with Indigenous communities to revitalize Indigenous laws, and to positively impact the environment.

Rebekah volunteers with the Old Strathcona Youth Society (OSYS), and is a member of the court of the University of Alberta Students’ Union. Rebekah was a committee member for the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) Speaker Series 2023. She is currently the internal co-chair for ILSA, and is a co-Vice President of OUTlaw.

Rebekah loves outdoor activities, playing guitar and will read almost anything.

Neal Ruth is a status member of Missanabie Cree First Nation (Treaty 9 Territory) but has spent most of his life in Edmonton. Neal started his career as an automotive mechanic while also serving in the Canadian Armed Reserve Forces from 2006 to 2011, and in 2014, he completed his automotive apprenticeship at NAIT. In 2019, Neal started his undergraduate degree in Business Administration Management at NAIT while still working full-time and completed it in 2021. As a mature student with a non-traditional background, Neal understands how challenging law school can be and is willing to help anyone who needs it.

Neal is passionate about Indigenous issues and has volunteered with the Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) in his first and second years of law school, working on the 2023 and 2024 Speaker Series’. In his second year, Neal was the Speaker Series Co-Chair and hosted the Speaker Series as part of the ILSA executive team. Neal also volunteered with the Sports Law Association and participated in the Hockey Arbitration Competition in his first and second years of law school. He is now the VP of Events for the Sports Law Association.

Outside of law school, Neal is a very active person, an avid outdoorsman, and a die-hard Oilers fan. Neal is passionate about sports and animals and is always willing to discuss them. He participates in many different sports and enjoys being outdoors as much as possible. Neal has two cats named Tux and Bonzai and loves it when others show him pictures of their pets.

Marc Jr. Doire is a member of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation by way of the Susa Creek Co-operative and an Honors student in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. In the summer of 2023, Marc became the first person from his community to take the ᐘᐦᑯᐦᑐᐏᐣ wahkohtowin Intensive: ᒥᔪ ᐑᒉᐦᑐᐏᐣ miyo-wîcêhtowin Principles and Practice course, learning from his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother, Mabel Wanyandie, for university credit. This summer, Marc will be teaching this year’s cohort in the classroom and back home on the hide frame alongside his family.

Marc has been active in student life through various student governance, club, and advocacy roles since his time in the Transition Year Program (TYP). He served as the Vice-President of Consultation and Engagement for the Aboriginal Student Council (ASC), the Vice-President of Administration and Communications for the Native Studies Students’ Association (NSSA), and as a member of the Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Committee for the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU). Marc has been honoured to serve as a lead volunteer for the 2023 and 2024 First Peoples’ House Annual Round Dances. Marc volunteers regularly for the University of Alberta Students’ Union, First Peoples’ House, and the Faculty of Native Studies.

Since 2023, Marc has worked and volunteered as a Research Assistant for various projects at the University of Alberta, including the Métis Archival Project (MAP) in the Faculty of Native Studies, the Blue Sky Research Collective (BSRC) in the Faculty of Arts, the Relational Governance Project (RGP) in the Faculty of Native Studies, and the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge (WLGL) in the Faculty of Law.

Dana Ledger is a lifelong Edmontonian and status member of Keeseekoose First Nation, Treaty 4 territory Southern Saskatchewan. Growing up between the two communities instilled an interest in studying pluralism and Indigenous Governance. Motivated to expand their understanding, Dana studied Political Science and Philosophy in their undergrad. Wanting to be a part of the positive changes in Indigenous and mainstream society. Dana entered Law School and is now a Class of 2026 Juris Doctor Candidate.

A member of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association. Dana was Speaker Series co-chair during 1L, and is currently the ILSA-LSA Representative for 2L. On the rare days when not at the Law Centre. Dana enjoys reading, cooking and going on culinary expedition hunts, where he searches for new exotic ingredients.

Danny is of mixed Cree, Métis and European descent. Their family comes from Ahtahkakoop First Nation and they were raised in a small town in Saskatchewan. They moved to Edmonton in 2018 to complete a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English. During their undergrad they spent time studying Indigenous literature and running a small magazine.

Danny came to law school with a passion for helping others. They just finished their first year of law school and plan on pursuing courses in Indigenous law, labour and employment law, and environmental law. Danny held the role of First Year Special Events Chair for the Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA). They are the incoming Co-Chair External for the ILSA.

Danny enjoys beading, playing board games, reading, and making niche playlists. They live with their partner and sweet senior dog. Danny plans on spending the summer camping and going to concerts.

I am a 3rd year law student. I was born in unceded Secwépemc territory. I grew up in Treaty 6 where most of my roots are. I am a member of Métis Nation of Alberta. I worked at the University of Alberta hospital in ultrasound before making a career change. I finished my Health Science degree at Dal University before coming to law school.

I am the financial co-chair with the Indigenous Law Students' association. I volunteer my time with our annual Speaker's Series and Youth Leaders in Law Edmonton Branch. I love to put my time and energy into what I value. I am passionate about Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, and Health law. I aspire to learn how to walk in both worlds

When I am not at the Law Centre or deep in the books, I can be found at the dog park. I have a seven year old Blue Leopard Catahoula who loves adventure just as much as I do. During the summer months, I can be found out on the water with my kayak or out at the acreage planting life.

I enjoy working and learning from those who have wisdom and knowledge to share. I also enjoy a good Auntie laugh at any time because life can be challenging and we need to lighten the load as we walk this path.

Born in 1944, an Anishinaabe member of the Wiikwemikoong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Educated at University of Waterloo (B.A.Sc. Electrical Engineering 1971); University of Alberta (LL.B. 1982); Native Studies, University of Alberta (M.A. 2021)

Called to the Alberta Bar in 1983. Established the Law Firm of Mandamin and Associates in 1985 representing First Nations, Indigenous organizations and individuals. Appeared as counsel before the Alberta Queen’s Bench and Provincial Courts and before the Supreme Court of Canada (R. v. Badger), Saskatchewan Court of Appeal (R. v. Wolfe) and the Indian Claims Commission (Cold Lake First Nations Primrose Claim).

Faculty Co-ordinator for Aboriginal Justice Seminars at the Banff School of Management 1991-94 and Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta School of Native Studies 1988-92. Commissioner and Chairperson of the Edmonton Police Commission 1991-1995 and President of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton, Alberta (1990).

Provincial Court Judge in the Provincial Court of Alberta (1999 - 2007). Presided in the Tsuu T’ina Court which involved First Nation peacemaking and in the Siksika Court which also involved traditional Indigenous resolution. Judge of the Federal Court 2007. Chaired the Federal Court Aboriginal Law Liaison Committee. Retired from Federal Court August 19, 2019.

Awards: 1996 Aboriginal Justice Award by Aboriginal Law Students Association, University of Alberta; 1999 Four Eagle Feathers (traditional Indigenous award) presented by Family, First Nations, and Indigenous individuals; 2007 awarded traditional naming ceremonies by both Tsuut’ina and Siksika, 2018 Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by Law Society of Ontario; 2019 Indigenous Peoples’ Counsel by Indigenous Bar Association.

Currently Counsel with Witten LLP, Edmonton. Scholar-in-Residence at Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge at the University of Alberta.