Canada’s first Indigenous nominee for the Supreme Court is from Northern Ontario.
Michelle O’Bonsawin met with senators and MP’s Wednesday for a question and answer session.
She says she came from a small northern town near Sudbury and hopes she can be an inspiration to other indigenous people.
“At the end of the day, if you work hard and your heart’s in it, you can go and do what you want,” O’Bonsawin said in the two hour session in Ottawa.
“And I’m hoping that young people, female, indigenous women also, will see that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”
O’Bonsawin is hoping she can be a role model for other Indigenous people.
“I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants throughout my life. They’ve helped propel me up, and I think that’s really made a difference, so I’m hoping some will feel inspired.”
O’Bonsawin is bi-lingual and was the first Indigenous person appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
She was born in Hanmer near Sudbury, but now lives in Ottawa.
