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Kehewin Cree Nation member appointed BC provincial judge

Tina Dion has always had a passion for helping others. It was one of the reasons why she became a lawyer. Now, with 20 years of experience, Dion will be taking a new position in the courtroom, as a provincial court judge. “It’s a tremendous honour.
Tina Dion WEB
Originally from the Bonnyville-area, Tina Dion will soon take a new seat in the courthouse in British Columbia, as a provincial judge.

Tina Dion has always had a passion for helping others.

It was one of the reasons why she became a lawyer.

Now, with 20 years of experience, Dion will be taking a new position in the courtroom, as a provincial court judge.

“It’s a tremendous honour. I’ve been a lawyer for 20 years and worked in various capacities in law, whether it was in criminal law or civil litigation. I was in-house council for the Tsawwassen First Nation when they moved from an Indian Act-style of governance into a self-governing first nation,” Dion described. “I taught at the University of BC over a 12-year period… I’ve seen a lot of changes over my 20 years at the bar."

Dion, who was born in Bonnyville and raised throughout the region, is hoping those skill sets will transfer well into her new role as judge.

“It’s quite an amazing feeling. It’s both a huge honour, as well as a real privilege. I’m feeling quite honoured by the decision of the judicial council to appoint me to the provincial court bench,” she exclaimed.

Her father, Roland Dion, remains a member of the Kehewin Cree Nation. Helen Desjarlais, Dion's mother, was originally from Elizabeth Métis Settlement, where Dion spent a lot of time growing up, and passed away in 2013.

After completing her undergrad at the University of Alberta, Dion moved to British Columbia to finish her law degree at the University of BC.

Her decision to go into law was based on her passion for assisting others.

“I always had an instinct to want to help people, and I was a young single mom, I wanted to make sure I was able to make a good living as well,” detailed Dion.

According to Dion, "there's quite a high number of indigenous lawyers across the country.

“I know in BC, I believe I will be the sixth indigenous judge appointed to the provincial court,” she noted, adding there are two indigenous supreme court judges in the province as well.

Dion hopes her story will inspire other indigenous people.

“I encourage more young indigenous people to go to university and consider a career in law, and if not a career in law, then some other professional career, because those numbers are rising,” she emphasized. “My view is the more the better. I think the entire society benefits when we all work together and we all achieve a better society."

She added, “I’m just really thrilled and honoured to be a part of that movement.”

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