b'JOURNEYSsome with me! I thought I wouldLets say you were givencomprehensive, wraparound stay for a couple of weeks, get$1 million to create ansupport thats going to get us out myself together and go back. ButIndigenous-focusedof the MMIWG2S issue.within a week, they asked me toorganization. What would it sit down with an Elder.be, and why would it have aI did my first degree in environ-big impact?mental studies and international That meeting changed thedevelopment in the 1990s. trajectory of my life. She said,My dream is a foundation forEvery single course said that the do you realize how sacred youIndigenous women and MMIWG2Sfoundation of dealing with climate are as an Indigenous woman?families. They could apply and allchange and poverty comes down Do you realize the ancestry thattheir schooling would be paid. Theyto empowering women. If you you come from? You come fromwould have housing, daycare, food,empower Indigenous women, you warriors and matriarchs. Yoututoring support, and reproductiveempower their families and their come from people that resistedhealth care. Its this kind of holistic,children for generations. colonization. That very day, I quit drinking and drugs.Since that moment 32 years ago, I have always gone back to those words. I rely on the women that came before me who resisted and survived colonization, and held on to their tradition, culture and language and protected the land. Those are my life heroes and mentors, but I wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for that Elder. What did it mean to you toJFK Law represents Indigenous communities throughout Canada. receive an Indspire Award,We work with our clients to advance their Nations, protect their rights and how did it impact yourand build their economies.life and career trajectory? Driven by a passion for justice, we offer creative legal solutions It was really humbling to be recog- and work towards meaningful change.nized. While doing my masters degree, I received dollars from Indspire (the National AboriginalLitigation and Dispute Resolution Consultation, Accommodation Achievement Foundation at theUsing the courts strategically toand Regulatory Reviewtime). Actually, we are currentlyadvance your AboriginalMaking the Crown respect the applying for an Indspire bursary for my son! Just this morning Iand Treaty Rightsduty to consult and accommodatewas telling him how much the Indspire dollars I received helpedComplex Negotiations Capacity and Governanceme and supported my education.Securing and implementing your Helping build strong, When I defended my masterscommunitys rights throughsustainable communitiesthesis, I was four monthscomplex negotiationspregnant with my second son. Getting the award was a full-circleVictoria Office Vancouver Officemoment. The same body thatP: 250 405.3460TF: 1 888 687.8388helped me finish my education816 - 1175 Douglas Street 340 - 1122 Mainland Streetwas now recognizing the fruitsVictoria, BC V8W 2E1 Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1of that investment. My educa- Working Together for Justice and Reconciliationtion has had a huge impact onwww.jfklaw.camy path.2022indspiration25'