Law students from northeast BC honoured for dedication to Indigenous people 

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Two law students from northeast B.C. were recognized for their dedication to representing Indigenous people.

Cheyenne Campbell of Fort Nelson First Nation and Bailie Copeland, a Dawson Creek resident of Red River Métis, received the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (ALF) Student Appreciation Awards on November 24th, 2023, at the ALF Holiday Banquet.

According to the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch (CBABC), the ALF Student Appreciation Awards are given to Indigenous law students who have shown consistent dedication to Indigenous people in the field of law.

Campbell is attending the University of British Columbia Allard Law program, while Copeland is attending Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law.

Copeland was also the recipient of 2023 Indigenous Scholarship from the Law Society. 

She is a Métis Nation of British Columbia member and a 2024 Juris Doctor candidate.

Her long-term goal is to continue to expand her knowledge of Indigenous and Agricultural law with a focus on Environment and Natural Resources.

Campbell is working as governance lead for the Roga Group, including Kyah Resources.

Before studying law, she taught in a northern B.C. elementary school for six years.

Her legal interests include the decolonization of laws and policies which harm First Nation Peoples.

Ashley Roussel from the Sweetgrass First Nation, attending the University of Victoria Faculty of Law, also received an ALF Student Appreciation Award, and Bill Wilson received the ALF Special Contribution Award.