For the first time since its founding 147 years ago, Canada’s tallest courthouse 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 an appearance before a parliamentary committee and obtaining the green light from 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 a law degree from Laurentian University and has worked, among others, in legal aid clinics, the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with particular emphasis on 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 doctorate in law from the University of Ottawa and speaks English, French and Abenaki.

On the day of the nomination, Trudeau noted that Michelle O’Bonsawin had been selected “following an open, non-partisan process,” adding that O’Bonsawin will “bring invaluable insights and contributions” to the highest court in the world. country. David Lametti, Federal Minister of Justice, spoke of a “historic moment” both for the Supreme Court and for 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 -since 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 formulated by the legislators during the said meeting was related to the indigenous overrepresentation in the prison network, especially of women. According to figures released in May, half of federal prison inmates belong to Indigenous groups. However, women from these communities represent 4.9% of the country’s female population. O’Bonsawin responded that a strong element in attacking this situation has to do with more training for members of the judiciary to better understand the experiences of Indigenous communities.

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