canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeauappointed the judge Michelle O’Bonsawin for him Supreme Court of Canadawho will become the first Aboriginal person to hold office in the High Court.

Born in Hanmer, Ontario, O’Bonsawin belongs to the Abenakis of Odanak and is bilingual in French and English, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

In a questionnaire she had to answer to be nominated, O’Bonsawin explained that being a woman from an indigenous town it made him “understand the need to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves”.

The candidate has been a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice since 2017 and has expertise in mental health, labor law, human rights and privacy law.

He has also researched Glaude’s Principle, a report that a Canadian court may request before sentencing an Aboriginal person.

O’Bonsawin, who holds a JD from the University of Ottawa, worked in the legal departments of the Canadian Mounted Police and the public postal company Canada Post.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada of Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, who is globally recognized for its strength, excellence and independenceTrudeau said in a statement.

The judge was appointed to replace Michael Moldaver at the Superior Court of Canadawho has been part of the High Court since 2011 and will retire on September 1, 2022.

Canada’s highest court has nine judges, including the Chief Justice.

Its members are chosen by the Government of Canada from a list compiled by an independent committee, then ratified by the Governor General.