Staff
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Alana Prochuk
Manager of Public Legal Education
she/her/hers or they/them/their/theirs
Alana is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to West Coast LEAF’s work for social justice as the Manager of Public Legal Education. A BC-certified English and ESL teacher, Alana brings experience in classroom-based and grassroots education, as well as communications, research, and project coordination. Most recently, Alana worked at the BC Civil Liberties Association and at WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre, where she led a campus initiative against gender-based violence in partnership with Vancouver Community College. Alana also holds an MA in Cultural Studies. When they’re not at work, you’re likely to find them scooting around town on their bike, checking out local arts events, reading, writing, or dancing with abandon.
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Amy Gill
Event Associate
she/her/hers
Amy is a racialized settler who was born and raised on the lands of the Coast Salish peoples in so-called Surrey and currently resides on the unceded and stolen territories of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. She has a background in communications and outreach with previous work at the BC Civil Liberties Association and holds a BA with a Double Honours in English Literature and Political Science from UBC. Amy is excited to join West Coast LEAF, even for a short time, to help with the 2023 Equality Breakfast while she completes her Masters in English from Simon Fraser University.
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Basya Laye
Director of Development & Engagement
she/her/hers
Prior to her tenure as editor of a community newspaper, Basya was director of a community foundation, and worked for a New York City-based organization dedicated to building collaborative relationships between national ethnic lay organizations and communities around the United States. Basya has an interdisciplinary degree with a focus on identity issues in the African diaspora, and attended NYU to study humanities and social thought. With strong interests in public health, ethics, religious traditions, art, literature, music, animal conservation, public policy and equality rights, she also loves to spend time with family and friends, read, and enjoy Vancouver’s natural surroundings.
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Bety Tesfay
Staff Lawyer
she/her/hers
Bety Tesfay is an Ethiopian-Canadian from Calgary, Alberta. She received her JD/MPP at the University of Calgary. Bety is passionate about racial justice, environmental justice, and gender equality. She would like to use her education and experience to advocate for these issues. If she is not reading or hanging out with friends, you can find Bety rewatching old shows on Netflix.
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Caitlin Anderson
Bookkeeping & Administrative Coordinator
she/her/hers or they/them/their/theirs
Caitlin is thrilled to join West Coast LEAF as the Bookkeeping & Administrative Coordinator. Having previously worked in law and accounting offices, she brings a love of problem solving and list making to the team. An avid dragon boater, she is a strong promoter of adapted sports as a way to combat isolation for people with disabilities. To offset her participation in paddling and yoga, Caitlin knits, reads and binge watches bad dramas.
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Cat Hart
Manager of Fundraising
they/them/their/theirs
Cat is a British settler who moved to these lands over a decade ago. They join West Coast LEAF with a background in communications, outreach and fundraising from their previous work at the BC Civil Liberties Association. Cat holds a Masters in Communication from Simon Fraser University, where they focused on national security narratives and their intersection/conflict with human rights and civil liberties. Cat is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, youth empowerment, and testing the limits of colonial law. When not in the office, they are most likely making pictures and art forms out of whatever is handy.
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Cecile Afable
Public Legal Education Specialist - Youth Programs
she/her/hers
Cecile is a Filipino-American immigrant-settler on the unceded lands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ. She was born in the Catskill mountains of New York, and has also lived in Massachusetts and rural southeastern France. Prior to joining West Coast LEAF, Cecile taught at Lycée Marcel Gimond and researched wrongful conviction for the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism. She is an interdisciplinary thinker who enjoys facilitation, curriculum development, community engagement, and project management. Cecile holds a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Brandeis University. Outside of work, she can be found baking, gardening, and reading across genres in both English and French.
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Chandrika Manjunath
Event Associate
she/her/hers
Chandrika joins West Coast LEAF for the fourth time to support the annual Equality Breakfast, this year as an Event Associate. She completed a BSc in Medical Science and Political Science, and recently spent a year at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota focusing on community-based participatory research to address cardiovascular health disparities among African-Americans. She is currently working with children and trying to figure out what’s next! In future endeavours she hopes to continue espousing the values and pursuits shared by West Coast LEAF and advocate for the rights of communities she will serve.
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Humera Jabir
Staff Lawyer
she/her/hers
Humera is a second-generation settler of South Asian origin. As a Staff Lawyer, Humera advocates for gender justice through legal cases and law reform efforts. Humera holds a law degree from McGill University. After law school, she clerked for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Before joining West Coast LEAF, Humera practiced constitutional, administrative, and human rights law, and worked in civilian oversight of policing. She has also worked on human rights initiatives and published articles on criminal law reform, racial profiling, and systemic discrimination, and on the rights of women, religious minorities, and refugees. Humera is inspired by the resilience of survivors of colonialism. Love of the mountains, ocean, and rainforest stirred her to move from Ontario to BC, and for this she is grateful to the Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands.
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Iman Baobeid
Manager of Communications
she/her/hers
Iman Baobeid is a Yemeni communications specialist and artist based on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). She brings a background in communications and campaigns from her work at the BC Civil Liberties Association, Equity and Inclusion Office at the University of British Columbia, and as a graphic designer with the “Yemen Speaks” Conflict Testimony Campaign. Iman holds an MA in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice and a BA in Sociology and Law from the University of British Columbia, where she examined post-conflict nation-state transformation, Islamic legal history, and gender relations in Yemen. Her art and writing are embedded in the archives – living, oral, and written – as she seeks to unpack the impact of successive wars in Yemen on its people from intersectional feminist and post-colonial lenses. Iman is committed to transformative justice as a path towards our collectively liberated futures.
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Kait Woodman
Interim Manager of Communications
she/her/hers
Kait is a white settler based on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. As part of the West Coast LEAF team, she’s committed to exploring the ever-evolving contours of equitable justice, harm reduction, fat liberation, and queer joy. Kait holds a Master’s degree in Gender and Sexuality from Simon Fraser University, where she conducted research on the alternative justice potentials of anti-sexual violence movements. In her spare time Kait likes to hang out with her aging dog friend, Chimney, play queer sports, and craft creative home brews.
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Kate Feeney (on leave)
Director of Litigation
she/her/hers
Kate comes to West Coast LEAF with a commitment to engaging in litigation informed by broader campaigns for social change. She holds a law degree from the University of Victoria and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of British Columbia. Since law school, Kate has worked on supporting access to justice in a variety of areas, including administrative, constitutional, human rights, and family law. She has both helped people use the law to achieve their individual goals and litigated cases with the aim of systemic law reform. Outside of work, Kate enjoys hiking, camping, and singing (sometimes in key) with her family.
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Kate M Murray
Law and Policy Researcher
she/her/hers
Kate is excited to learn and work alongside diverse community members to develop West Coast LEAF’s 2022-2024 Gender Equality Report Card. Kate’s previous research work has included projects on housing, homelessness, racialization, and urban development; digital exclusion and access to justice; public policy participation and debate; transit accessibility; and community-based healthcare. She also holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia. Kate lives on unceded xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ homelands where she is grateful to spend time in the mountains, on rivers, in the garden, and in community. A settler with British and Irish ancestry, Kate honours the Indigenous stewards of these lands. She is deeply inspired by community-led struggles for self-determination, equality, and justice.
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Raji Mangat
Executive Director
she/her/hers
At the core of Raji’s wide-ranging legal career is a commitment to using the law as a tool for positive transformation. Her recent work has focused on access to justice, the impact of detention on women, and family law. Raji holds a law degree from the University of Victoria, a master’s degree in international affairs from Carleton University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of British Columbia. After completing law school, Raji clerked for Justice Frank Iacobucci at the Supreme Court of Canada. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2004, to the New York State bar in 2005, and to the BC bar in 2011. She has practiced administrative and constitutional law since returning to the West Coast in 2012. Raji serves on the boards of Health Justice and the Vancouver Public Library. Outside of work, Raji likes to make paper crafts, binge on Netflix, and meander along city streets in search of coffee.
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Sharnelle Jenkins-Thompson (on leave)
Manager of Community Outreach
she/her/hers
Sharnelle Jenkins-Thompson is of Welsh, Jewish, Metis, Scottish and Irish ancestry. Sharnelle is passionate about addressing the impacts of colonialism and injustice through relationality and reciprocity. Sharnelle grew up in Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw Nation) but has been living on xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ homelands since 2008. She holds a Masters of Social Work-Indigenous Specialization from the University of Victoria and worked in the Neighbourhood House movement prior to joining West Coast LEAF. She often can be found hanging out with her tortoise and cat, kicking a soccer ball and enjoying these beautiful, unceded homelands.
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Sharon Xia
Manager of Donor Support
she/her/hers
Sharon is the Manager of Donor Support at West Coast LEAF. She coordinates the Annual Equality Breakfast and manages the donor database. Prior to joining West Coast LEAF, she worked with international organizations and education institutions in China and Australia to implement training and research programs. Sharon has an academic background in Labor Economics; she loves knitting and also likes to spend time exploring new places.
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Suyu He 何素语
Interim Manager of Community Outreach
they/she/he
Suyu is a Han Chinese settler with roots in Guangdong 广东 and Guizhou 贵州 provinces. They grew up Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 territories, and currently reside on the stolen lands of xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ Nations. Suyu holds a BA Honours in Human Geography from the University of British Columbia. Their experience is rooted in urban justice, community organizing and anti-violence education. They enjoy spending time with friends and family, planning trips, and tactile art-making.
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Vicky Law
Staff Lawyer
she/her/hers
Vicky is joining West Coast LEAF on a secondment from Rise Women’s Legal Centre. Since the beginning of her legal career, Vicky has supported folks experiencing gender-based violence in the areas of family and immigration law. She collaborates with community members to improve access to justice and gender equality. When not working, Vicky likes to bake sourdough, play the piano, and collects more yarn than she can knit.
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Victoria Chen
Operations & Finance Manager
she/her/hers
Driven by a passion for social justice, Victoria brings her experience in community organizing and non-profit work to West Coast LEAF, as well as her joy in well-organized systems. She has a BA from SFU with a triple minor in Dialogue, Sociology, and Psychology, in addition to a Certificate in Social Justice. She is inspired by the resilience of migrant women like her mum, and spends her days chasing after a very active toddler and singing everywhere she goes.
Board
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Bria Marquardt
Bria Marquardt is passionate about equality and gender rights issues. She has seen firsthand the impact lack of equality can have when navigating the legal system.
As an individual Bria is creative, open minded and compassionate.
She has worked in sales in the tech industry for companies like Airbnb and Rew.ca and has experience with fundraising, marketing, social media and design.
She is passionate about making changes to the education provided to people navigating challenging situations in the legal system and society as a whole.
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Elin Sigurdson
Elin is a lawyer at Mandell Pinder, LLP, where her practice focuses on Aboriginal and constitutional litigation and dispute resolution. Elin has had the opportunity to work on cases directed at social change, environmental protection, access to justice, equality, and Aboriginal and treaty rights. Elin came to practice law because of her dedication to using all available tools to improve social justice and equality. Elin lives in Vancouver and surrounds herself with family and friends who inspire her with their diverse and interesting work and interests. Elin was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2007. She received a Bachelor of Arts from UBC in 1999, a Bachelor of Laws from UBC in 2005, and a Master of Laws from the University of California at Berkeley in 2010.
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Frances Rosner
Frances Rosner is a Metis lawyer working as a sole practitioner in Vancouver, recently called to the bar in March 2016, practicing primarily in family and prison law. For the past several years, Frances has been working as a Gladue report writer for all levels of the court in BC, and co-authored a report filed in support of a leave application to the Supreme Court of Canada. She is passionate about social justice and has taken a special interest in advocating for persons with disabilities in all areas of her law practice. She has always been highly focused on legal issues involving Indigenous peoples—this lifelong passion stems from her own personal experience with racism and discrimination having grown up in Winnipeg on both sides of Portage Avenue (Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities). In her professional life, she has had the privilege of working closely with Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada. She is now more determined than ever to advocate for change and work towards reconciliation. Generally speaking, she finds herself drawn to legal issues that involve arbitrary state action, power imbalances, and the marginalization of any person or group. In her experience, these issues are most prevalent in prison law and child protection and so these areas of her practice are quickly growing.
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Alanna Crouse
she/her
Alanna is an articling student with Alison M. Latimer, KC, Barrister & Solicitor. She focuses on public law, working in criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. Alanna is a graduate of the combined B.C.L./J.D. program at McGill University’s Faculty of Law. She previously obtained a M.Sc., Human Genetics from McGill University, and a B.Sc., Biology from Queen’s University.
Alanna is passionate about civil liberties, social justice, and equality. Alanna co-wrote McGill University Post-Graduate Student Society’s first Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy. She also volunteered with McGill University’s sexual violence centre and was a Member of the McGill University Post-Graduate Student Society Equity Committee.
Alanna’s ultimate goal is to help create a culture where all marginalized people can flourish.
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Julia Kwinter
Treasurer
Julia Kwinter is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator. Since 2003, Julia has provided financial advisory support to clients, primarily related to valuation and dispute resolution. With a clear understanding of the distinct roles of board and management with respect to governance and operations, Julia creates practical solutions to complicated problems. She brings expertise in accounting, finance, and strategic planning with industry specialization in real estate and consumer products. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Victoria and is a member of the BC Association of Women in Finance.
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Manjot Parhar
Manjot Parhar is a lawyer at Dolden Wallace Folick LLP in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her practice encompasses a wide range of areas including personal injury, medical malpractice, and employment and human rights law. Manjot obtained her J.D. from the University of Alberta and was awarded the Honourable Justice Cecilia Johnstone Equality Award for her commitment to gender equality and social justice. She has been a proud member of West Coast LEAF since 2016 and has also been a volunteer for organizations such as Landscapes of Injustice and the YWCA High School Mentorship Program. Manjot enjoys exploring new cities and cuisines, both local and international, in her spare time.
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Martina Zanetti
President
Martina Zanetti is a trusts and estates lawyer with the Vancouver office of Norton Rose Fulbright. Her practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, and incapacity matters. She received her J.D. at UBC, and holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto with majors in Women and Gender Studies and International Relations. Martina has volunteered with West Coast LEAF in numerous capacities including on the CEDAW Report Card Subcommittee and at the Equality Breakfast. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada. In her spare time Martina loves live music, cooking, knitting, and hanging out on Commercial Drive or at the edge of the world in Tofino.
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Mélanie Power
Mélanie is a Vancouver-based lawyer practising in public and constitutional law, primarily advocating for minority language rights. She advises educational institutions, including school boards across Canada, and not-for-profit organizations on language rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mélanie holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa (Programme de common law en français) and a bachelor’s degree in languages and literature (French and Spanish) from the University of Alberta. Mélanie currently serves on the board of Réseau-Femmes Colombie-Britannique, a francophone organization advocating for gender equality and raising awareness about the realities faced by francophone women living in minority groups. Mélanie practises law in both French and English. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, cycling, and improving her Spanish-speaking skills.
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Naomi Moses
Naomi Moses is a lawyer at JFK Law in Vancouver, where they are privileged and humbled to practice law on behalf of Aboriginal people. Naomi also practices class action litigation, criminal law, and constitutional law, and works to meet the legal needs of LGBTQ+ people. Naomi has been involved with West Coast LEAF since 2012, and has worked for the organization as a communications assistant, copy editor, and volunteer. As a non-binary trans person, Naomi looks forward to supporting West Coast LEAF as they evolve into a non-profit working tirelessly towards equality for all people who are marginalized because of their gender.
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River Shannon
A transplant from Calgary, Alberta, River moved to British Columbia in 2018 to serve as Staff Lawyer with YWCA Metro Vancouver. There, they host free workshops on a broad range of legal issues, advocate for a more compassionate legal system, and offer free legal help to YWCA housing residents who have experienced violence from an intimate partner.
River volunteers on the Board and as Duty Counsel with the Amici Curiae Friendship Society, where they help folks in British Columbia complete their legal forms. River is also passionate about inclusive and accessible meditation practice and volunteers with the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver.
In their spare time, River likes to admire other people’s dogs and ride their bicycle.
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Nancy Merrill, K.C.
she/her
Nancy is a veteran legal counsel with over 30 years’ experience as an accomplished barrister, an effective advocate, and a successful mediator in the areas of family law, civil litigation, wills and estates. She is the former president of the Law Society of British Columbia. She was the first woman elected as a Bencher in the Nanaimo County. She was appointed as Queen’s Counsel for her outstanding contribution to the community and practice of law. She is an active and valued member of a number of executive boards and organizations within the Vancouver Island community. Nancy is an active sports enthusiast, a lifetime member of the British Columbia SPCA, an amateur archaeology buff, and an accomplished international traveler.
Indigenous Advisory
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Doris Fox
Ms. Fox is a Musqueam Elder. Throughout the year, Ms. Fox works at different wellness days as a Life Coach, Spiritual Advisor and healer using various traditional healing methods taught to her by her Elders and by various other Indigenous healers. Doris sits on several advisory boards, committees, Elders Circles, etc. As well, Doris works at several Health Clinics as an Elder and healer.
Doris Fox teaches various traditional arts and crafts such as, traditional Salish Weaving, Cedar-bark Weaving, beading, etc., that was taught to her by her Elders. During her classes, Ms. Fox ensures that the students know about the history, traditions, values and beliefs behind the ancient knowledge that she shares. Doris also shares her knowledge of intellectual property and the importance of artists knowing how to protect themselves and their work. Doris is an artist and clothing designer, as well, and has taught sewing classes too.
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Dr. Lillian Howard
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Lorelei Williams
Lorelei Williams is an Interior Salish/Coast Salish woman from Skatin Nations/Sts’Ailes, Vancouver (Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh), BC. She is a single mom raising two beautiful and amazing children. Lorelei is back at Capilano University to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Business Management. She is also the Program Manager with The Restoring Circles Project which is an Indigenous Ally Transformative Justice Project where they seed community talking/healing circles/workshops to prevent/end violence. They also collaborate with other programs and trainings that specialize in practice-specific teachings such as Land-based Trauma Healing and more. Lorelei is raising awareness and advocating for victims and families of MMIWG through Butterflies in Spirit – a dance group she founded in 2012. The group is comprised of family members of MMIWG and was formed with the goal of empowering Indigenous women in her community, and raising awareness about her missing Aunt, and her cousin Tanya Holyk who was murdered in 1996. “As a family member of both missing and murdered Indigenous women, I do what I can to raise awareness of this issue so this doesn’t happen to more families,” Lorelei says. As a Research Assistant at Sovereign Bodies Institute (SBI), located on Wiyot and Ohlone territories, in Northern California, Lorelei is developing “Butterflies in Spirit: Dance, Healing, MMIWG” – a project aimed at producing an understanding and awareness of how dance can be utilized as healing practice for both Indigenous survivors of violence and their families, as well as those impacted by the MMIWG crisis, through research, skill-building, and public awareness. She is also part of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Coalition, a diverse group of more than 25 urban community and political advocacy groups and family members of MMIWG. “My wish is that violence would end for women and girls around the world.”
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Owen Ballendine
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Frances Rosner
Frances Rosner is a Metis lawyer working as a sole practitioner in Vancouver, recently called to the bar in March 2016, practicing primarily in family and prison law. For the past several years, Frances has been working as a Gladue report writer for all levels of the court in BC, and co-authored a report filed in support of a leave application to the Supreme Court of Canada. She is passionate about social justice and has taken a special interest in advocating for persons with disabilities in all areas of her law practice. She has always been highly focused on legal issues involving Indigenous peoples—this lifelong passion stems from her own personal experience with racism and discrimination having grown up in Winnipeg on both sides of Portage Avenue (Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities). In her professional life, she has had the privilege of working closely with Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada. She is now more determined than ever to advocate for change and work towards reconciliation. Generally speaking, she finds herself drawn to legal issues that involve arbitrary state action, power imbalances, and the marginalization of any person or group. In her experience, these issues are most prevalent in prison law and child protection and so these areas of her practice are quickly growing.
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Alexa Lizotte
My name is Alexa Lizotte and I come from the Métis Nation of Alberta on my father’s side and have European ancestry on my mother’s side. I am the owner of Desert Métis Creations, a brand I originally created to sell my beadwork and ribbon work sewing but is now in the process of growing into a teaching and resource brand hosting beadwork, sewing, and cultural workshops. I am deeply passionate about inspiring our younger generations to be bold about reconnecting with our cultures, and I do a lot of work through my social media to connect and inspire them in this way. I hope to continue my advocacy for our young people through my work with West Coast Leaf. Hiy Hiy.
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Summer Rain Bentham