For the first time since its founding 147 years ago, Canada’s highest court has a person of Indigenous descent in its seats. Michelle O’Bonsawin was sworn in as a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his appointment on August 19. After appearing before a parliamentary committee and gaining the approval of Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, the 48-year-old lawyer took office. Five of the nine judges currently in office were appointed by Justin Trudeau.

O’Bonsawin was born in the town of Hammer (Ontario) and belongs to the Abenaki people; his family is originally from the Odanak reserve (located in the central region of Quebec). She obtained her law degree at Laurentian University and worked, among others, in legal aid clinics, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, taking a particular interest in issues related to human rights, labor disputes and mental health. . In 2017, she was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Ontario. He holds a JD from the University of Ottawa and speaks English, French and Abenaki.

On the day of the nomination, Trudeau noted that Michelle O’Bonsawin was chosen “after an open, non-partisan process,” adding that O’Bonsawin will “bring invaluable insight and input” to the nation’s highest court. Federal Justice Minister David Lametti spoke of a “historic moment” for both the Supreme Court and Canada.

RoseAnne Archibald, president of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations, said O’Bonsawin was a qualified choice, noting it was an “important appointment at a critical time.” The country is facing one of the darkest chapters of its past: the consequences of the network of boarding schools for indigenous children; centers that sought to forcibly assimilate some 150,000 Indigenous miners between 1883 and 1996. The discovery of more than 1,400 unmarked graves – as of May 2021 – on the grounds of these former institutions funded by Ottawa and run by religious groups has sown consternation inside and outside Canada.

During her appearance before the parliamentary committee on August 24, Michelle O’Bonsawin said she was “first and foremost a judge”, but aware of her Aboriginal identity. “It’s an identity that I affirm and that represents me,” he said. One of the issues raised by lawmakers during the said appointment was related to the indigenous overrepresentation in the prison network, especially of women. According to figures released in May, half of inmates in federal prisons are from Indigenous groups. However, women from these communities make up 4.9% of the country’s female population. O’Bonsawin responded that a compelling element to attacking this situation has to do with greater training among members of the judiciary to better understand the experiences of Indigenous communities.

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