The IBA Congratulates the Appointment of Jodie-Lynn Waddilove as a Judge to the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie

The IBA Congratulates the Appointment of Jodie-Lynn Waddilove as a Judge to the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie

OTTAWA, ON – The Indigenous Bar Association (the “IBA”) celebrates the appointment of Jodie-Lynn Waddilove as a judge to the Ontario Court of Justice as of December 26, 2018, with her swearing in taking place on February 4, 2019.

Justice Waddilove, or Gim-Mah-Myengun-Kwe (“Head Chief Wolf Woman”) is an Anishnabe and Lenape lawyer from the wolf clan. Born and raised on the Munsee-Delaware Nation in Southwestern Ontario, she has devoted her life to the pursuit of justice for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Among her many accomplishments, in 2004 while articling, she was elected the youngest Councillor for Munsee-Delaware First Nations, served as Assistant Commission Counsel for the Ipperwash Inquiry, as Senior Counsel with the Ministry of the Attorney General for Ontario Indigenous Justice Division, and worked with Ontario’s Independent Police Oversight Review and on Ontario’s Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Joint National Inquiry team.

A graduate of the University of Ottawa law school, Justice Waddilove was the recipient of the IBA’s first Ronald Peigan Scholarship, awarded to Indigenous law students who have demonstrated their commitment to serving the Indigenous community and the Creator with honour and integrity. Ms. Waddilove has exemplified these values throughout her career. She is a respected and sought-after speaker and mentor, a loving mother, sister, wife and daughter, and the IBA is confident that she will make an extraordinary addition to the bench.

The Indigenous Bar Association is a national association comprised of Indigenous lawyers (practicing and non-practicing), legal academics and scholars, articling clerks and law students, including graduate and post-graduate law students. We are mandated to promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the reform of laws and policies affecting Indigenous Peoples.

For further information contact Scott Robertson, President of the Indigenous Bar Association at
srobertson@indigenousbar.ca and 705-325- 0520 or visit our website at www.indigenousbar.ca.