Photo: Alex Pugliese via University of Alberta Folio
Casey Caines, a law graduate from the University of Alberta, has been selected for a clerkship with Canada's first Indigenous justice on the Supreme Court, Michelle O'Bonsawin. Having grown up in Fort Nelson First Nation in British Columbia, Caines initially saw a law career as unlikely, but became inspired to pursue it when advocating for her child with autism, as she realized the importance of legal knowledge in effectively advocating for her child's rights. Her selection as a clerk for Justice O'Bonsawin holds special significance as an Indigenous student working with the first Indigenous Supreme Court justice. Caines, who will begin her clerkship in August 2024, aims to gain insights into how the legal system operates during her clerkship to pursue her goals of reducing systemic inequalities and barriers for Indigenous peoples. She is particularly interested in Indigenous law and community-centered advocacy, recognizing the need for legal reform to address inequalities within her own community. Throughout her education, Caines received support from the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge and formed close connections with fellow Indigenous law students and faculty members, who were always there for her, and who became "aunties" to her children. She plans to explore how the inner workings of the legal system can be utilized to create positive change in the world, focusing on reducing systemic inequalities and promoting access to justice.
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