Nod to diversity in Alberta judge appointments
Cheryl Arcand-Kootenay’s plan to become an architect was foiled early on when she realized in Grade 10 she simply could not draw. She pursued her next choice — law — and last week became one of Alberta’s three new judicial appointments to the provincial court.
Arcand-Kootenay laughs when asked if she’s disappointed her architectural dreams didn’t pan out.
“No. I’ve totally loved and enjoyed my career and the colleagues and the friends I’ve made. It was a wise choice, or we’d have some very structurally unsound buildings in the world,” she said.
Arcand-Kootenay has practised law for 25 years all over the province, spending much of her career in family and Aboriginal law.
“All of what I’ve gained as a lawyer, as a person who grew up for a little bit on reserve, I think all of that shapes some of your thinking. But at the end of the day ... it’s about looking at facts and how they relate to the law,” she said.
Arcand-Kootenay said it proves “what a little girl from the reserve, with parents who were Cree speaking ” is able to do.
“I’m a role model for my family and for whomever else feels that I’m able to help them aspire to do great things, wonderful things, or to dream big. I don’t think you can ever stop dreaming big,” she said.
Arcand-Kootenay was appointed last week alongside two other women — Michelle Christopher and Melanie Hayes-Richards.
Christopher was born in Drumheller. She received her bachelor of law degree from Dalhousie Law School, master’s of law from Osgoode Hall Law School, and was called to the Alberta bar in 1987. She has extensive experience in the areas of family, criminal and civil law.
Hayes-Richards was called to the Alberta bar in 1999 after receiving her bachelor of law degree from the University of Alberta. She practised mainly in the area of criminal law, including as a Crown prosecutor and as legal counsel for the Alberta Court of Appeal.
Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley is excited to see more diversity on the bench.
“I think all people deserve to see themselves reflected in the judiciary. It makes a big difference not only for the people who appear in court, but for young women coming up and looking at that, and seeing what possible career trajectories they could have,” she said. Arcand-Kootenay agrees.
“We have a very diverse group of people in the province,” she said.
“We have all kinds of cultures and backgrounds and levels of education. We need to be recognizable and role models for the people we’re here to serve.”
I’m a role model for my family and for whomever else feels that I’m able to help them aspire to do great things …