The appointment of an Indigenous woman as judge to the BC Supreme Court was heralded with best wishes and hearty congratulations Tuesday from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

The contributions of Ardith (Walpetko Wesa国际传媒檇alx) Walkem, as the organizationsa国际传媒檚 legal counsel, as well with member nations over three decades, have been sa国际传媒渋mmeasurable,sa国际传媒� according to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).

Phillip cited Walkemsa国际传媒檚 sa国际传媒渓egal rigour, brilliant mind, warm sense of humour, and principled commitmentsa国际传媒� to Indigenous people and sa国际传媒渢o full and fair enactmentsa国际传媒� of Indigenous title and rights.

He predicted shesa国际传媒榣l stand out as sa国际传媒渁 shining light of justicesa国际传媒� in her new role as a BC Supreme Court Justice, Phillip said in Dec. 15 release from the union of chiefs.

sa国际传媒淲e celebrate with Ardith this tremendous achievement, recognizing that her appointment makes her the first First Nations woman in this role in British Columbia.sa国际传媒�

Walkem grew up in Spences Bridge, B.C., and is a member of the Nlakasa国际传媒檖amux Nation. She articled with Mandell Pinder, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and McDonald and Associates before being called to the Bar in 1996.

Walkem is owner and partner at . She holds a bachelor of arts from McGill University and bachelor of laws and master of laws degrees from the University of British Columbia, where she has taught in the faculty of law.

sa国际传媒淎rdith is a brave and bold thinker who challenges those around her to understand the law and different legal traditions in innovative, transformative ways,sa国际传媒� according to Chief Don Tom, UBCIC vice-president. sa国际传媒淗er research, work, and teaching have often focused extensively on the application and elevation of Indigenous laws, including in areas of child welfare and specific claims, and have undoubtedly changed the field.sa国际传媒�

As the organizationsa国际传媒檚 legal counsel, she was involved in overseeing electoral processes and council work of the union for more than 20 years.

Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, union secretary-treasurer, described the recently appointed Walkem as a sa国际传媒渓eader in reconciliation initiatives,sa国际传媒� citing work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission advisory committees of the Law Society of BC and the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC.

sa国际传媒淚n her new role, Madam Justice Walkem will be a formidable force for justice. We are proud to call her our friend and we wish her all the best in the work ahead.

sa国际传媒淥n behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, we are honoured and thrilled to celebrate Ardithsa国际传媒檚 successes today.sa国际传媒�

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