UBC grads to continue forefathers’ fight
Articling students descended from Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont intend to work for indigenous rights
More than a century after Métis leaders rebelled against the Canadian government, a pair of their descendants, both new UBC law graduates, are continuing their battle for indigenous peoples’ rights and freedoms.
On Saturday, Carly Teillet, 33, and Mark Stevens, 34, crossed the stage during the annual First Nations Longhouse graduation ceremony at the University of B.C.
The students met in September 2014 on their first day of class at the Peter A. Allard School of Law and by chance discovered an ancestral connection that both said has guided their approach to justice.
During an icebreaking exercise, Stevens mentioned to Teillet that he was a descendant of Gabriel Dumont, who in 1885 commanded the Métis forces during the NorthWest Rebellion to protect their rights, land and people.
Teillet, surprised, told Stevens she was the great, great grandniece of Louis Riel, who led the rebellion and with Dumont set up a provisional government.
“It was a very grounding moment,” said Stevens, a descendant of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “It was a really nice thing to have that early in law school — to feel like you’re in the right place and on the right path.”
“Knowing where we came from and what generations of our families have fought for — and other Métis and indigenous people have fought for — makes you feel like you’re not alone,” added Teillet, a descendant of the Red River Métis.
Teillet and Stevens said their passion for law has been driven by a desire to help marginalized people — particularly those from indigenous communities. Like Riel and Dumont, they too plan to challenge the government on its roles in the troubles faced by Indigenous Peoples.
“We see law as a form of resistance and we’re trying to counter the myth that law is neutral,” Teillet said. “The colonization of our peoples and the impact of colonization is still ongoing, so we really see our role as learning about law and using that as a tool to help our families and communities.”
Stevens said law school has helped connect him with like-minded people and retrace his past. He and Teillet said a shared history with other indigenous students and understanding of the role their traditional laws play in the current justice system was crucial to their success.
“It’s daunting as an indigenous or Métis person entering an institution where you’re taught laws that have been really harmful to your communities,” Teillet said.
Teillet is the inaugural articling student at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside which serves clients dealing with issues such as criminal, family and on-reserve matters.
Stevens is articling at Ratcliff & Company, a North Vancouver law firm specializing in the legal needs of First Nations such as helping them regain lost lands and basic rights, and fostering economic development.
They’ve created a lifelong bond and found a common interest in “getting together to argue,” both admitted with a chuckle.
Patricia Barkaskas, a law instructor and academic director at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic who is also Métis, said an aspect of the culture she shares with Teillet and Stevens involves resisting government and helping improve the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
“I think there’s no doubt that they found themselves in law school compelled to learn Canadian law to help work on decolonization,” she said.
Their history is “so meaningful for the program,” said Mark Gervin, a lecturer at the law school and co-director at the legal clinic.
Gervin described Teillet and Stevens as “wonderful” students who have stayed close to the program and helped their peers.