Representation of indigenous peoples: Canada appoints first indigenous woman to the Supreme Court

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Photo Credit: IMAGO/Adrian Wyld/ IMAGO/ZUMA Press

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday appointed an indigenous person to the country's Supreme Court for the first time.

Michelle O'Bonsawin, an Ontario Superior Court judge since 2017 and a member of the Odanak First Nation, will succeed as judge in September when another member of the Supreme Court retires, the prime minister's office said in an official statement.

“O'Bonsawin is a highly respected member of the Canadian legal community with a distinguished career.

I'm sure she will bring invaluable knowledge to this country's Supreme Court," Trudeau tweeted after breaking the news.

Attorney General David Lametti called the appointment "a historic moment for the Supreme Court of Canada and for all of Canada."

It comes at a time when Canada is trying to come to terms with past crimes against Indigenous people and the fact that too many Indigenous people are being held in Canadian prisons.

They are greatly overrepresented there.

Indigenous adults make up five percent of the country's population but 30 percent of the prison population.

Canada's Supreme Court has nine judges, including one chief justice.

They can hold office up to the age of 75.

A bipartisan council can nominate candidates, but ultimately judges are appointed by the incumbent government.

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