The ILSA Executive 2023-2024
Megan Reti
Executive Chair
Hello! My name is Megan Reti and I am a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. I am also a member of the executive of the Indigenous Law Students' Association as Executive Chair. Being an older student and also coming from an undergraduate background you don't see very often in law (ecology and animal health), I understand how anxiety-inducing the transition to law school can be. If you have any questions about law school or just want to chat and grow your sense of community at law school, please feel free to email me at reti@ualberta.ca, either before school starts or once the semester is underway!
Siobhan Washburn
External Co-Chair
Siobhan (she/her) is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and is excited to be part of ILSA and to act as the External Co-Chair.
Siobhan is passionate about Indigenous, queer, and feminist issues, and hopes to make a positive difference in these areas through her legal education, participation in student groups, and continuous learning from peers, professors, and community members.
She looks forward to contributing to the important work that takes place within ILSA, and is grateful for the opportunity to take part in such a strong and welcoming community.
Mason Graham
LSA/ILSA Co-Chair
Hey there! My name is Mason and I'm the ILSA-LSA rep this year!
My role is primarily diplomatic, but I have the opportunity to further Indigenous initiatives and opportunities along with ensuring Indigenous voices are heard.
I am primarily interested in Employment & Labour law in school, but anything related to human rights is always appealing to me.
Feel free to talk with me at any time, or even shoot me an email.
Sarah is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and current 2L at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. She grew up on a farm North of Valleyview, Alberta, and plans on returning to Northern Alberta after receiving her Juris Doctor degree.
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Sarah worked at the Metis Nation of Alberta in Youth Programming for two years after receiving her undergraduate degree in Psychology. In this position, she implemented and facilitated cultural and life skills programming for Métis youth across the province.
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Since starting her law degree, she continues to stay involved with the Métis Nation of Alberta and works to educate people on the unique culture and identity of the Métis.
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In her free time, Sarah enjoys being outside (especially camping and kayaking), and spending time with her family and with her dogs, Opie and Elliot.
Rebekah (Bex) is Cree from Waterhen Lake First Nation in Treaty 6, and German with other unknown settler origins. Born in Treaty 1, she lived in four different Treaty areas growing up.
Rebekah studied physics at U of A. After much consideration, they decided to go to law school with the desire to increase equity in the justice system, to work with Indigenous communities to revitalize Indigenous laws, and to positively impact the environment.
Rebekah currently works as a research assistant for the Wahkohtowin law & Governance Lodge, and is a tribune for the discipline, interpretation and enforcement board for the U of A Students’ Union.
Rebekah was a committee member for the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) Speaker Series 2023. She is currently the internal co-chair for ILSA, and is a co-vice President of OUTlaw.
Bex loves outdoor activities, playing guitar and will read almost anything.
Rebekah Mitchell
Internal Co-Chair
Neal Ruth
Speaker Series Co-Chair
Neal Ruth is a status member of Missanabie Cree First Nation (Treaty 9 Territory) but has spent most of his life in Edmonton. Neal started his career as an automotive mechanic while also serving in the Canadian Armed Reserve Forces from 2006 to 2011. In 2021, Neal completed his BBA at NAIT with honours while working full-time as a mechanic. As a mature student with a non-traditional background, Neal understands how challenging the first year of law school can be
and is willing to help anyone who needs it.
Neal is passionate about Indigenous issues and was a volunteer with the Indigenous Law
Students’ Association (ILSA) in his first year of law school, working on the 2023 Speaker Series. He is now the Speaker Series Co-Chair for the 2023/24 year and is excited to be hosting the Speaker Series as part of the ILSA executive team. Neal also volunteered with the Sports Law Association and participated in the Hockey Arbitration Competition in his first year of law
school.
Outside of law school, Neal is passionate about sports and animals. He is always willing to talk about sports and is a die-hard Oilers fan. He participates in many different sports and enjoys being outdoors in any way possible. Neal has two cats named Tux and Bonzai, and he loves to talk about them. He also enjoys listening to others talk about their pets/show him pictures of their pets.
Ajae Wilson
Financial Co-Chair
I am a member of Metis Nation of Alberta from District 10. I was born in unceded Secwépemc territory but I have spent the majority of my life growing up in Treaty 6. Majority of my roots stem from the Athabasca Landing area. I have been married for 10 years. I am the zealous guardian of my blue leopard catahoula named Willow. We can usually be found daily at the dog park down by the zoo. There is always a hankering for the great outdoors, the water, dark night skies, the sounds of nature, and new adventures.
I have a background in health care. I worked at the University of Alberta hospital in the Ultrasound department before repetitive strain injuries forced me to choose a new career path. Too broken to work, I started my educational journey. After completing my undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from Dalhousie University, I felt even more lost. My sister encouraged me to apply to law school. I was not confident I would be accepted and I was terrified as to where this journey would lead me. After my final injury, I was left without an advocate to help me with compensation or to navigate the system. I know what it feels like to desperately need an advocate only to have my concerns fall on deaf ears. I may not know where my legal journey will take me but I do believe that my unjust past experiences will help me better advocate for those who need a voice.
One of my goals through law school is to learn to enjoy the journey and belonging in ILSA is part of that process. Joy takes effort, so I have surrounded myself with some amazing humans on the ILSA team. I believe our time is one of the greatest gifts that we can give. I am excited to see what this year brings and want to thank those who have allowed me to partake in this new chapter.
Sydney Mann
Administration & Coordination Co-Chair
Hello! I’m Sydney (she/her) and I am a 2L and proud to be the Administration & Coordination Co-Chair of ILSA for the 2023-2024 year. I grew up in rural Manitoba, and have family ties to Sagkeeng First Nation. I joined ILSA last year as the Special Events Co-Chair and am excited to be back this year to support Indigenous students in my new role. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Winnipeg with a major in Political Science, but spent most of my time focused on the relationship between Indigenous people and the Canadian state. I am passionate about Indigenous issues, and about making a space and a community for Indigenous students at UAlberta Law. The community I have found in ILSA has been one of the most valuable aspects of my law school journey thus far, so I am very excited to continue to be involved this year!
Dana Ledger
1L Speaker Series Co-Chair
Hi, my name is Dana Ledger, the recently elected 1L Speaker Series co-chair. Background information about me. I hold a Bachelor Degree in Political Science, primary field of study was political philosophy. I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, but I’m also a Status member of the Keeseekoose First Nation in Southern Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory. Although I was raised outside of my Nation, I maintain very close ties through volunteering, contract employment, and personal relationships. As a volunteer and contract employee, I assisted in establishing social programs and networks that help individuals access post-secondary and medical services when alternative avenues are not available. As a law student, my aspiration is to become a health law attorney with the goal of addressing systemic flaws within Canada Health Services.
Danny Norris-Pott
1L Special Events Co-Chair
Coming Soon