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Chief justice welcomes Michelle O'Bonsawin to Supreme Court of Canada

OTTAWA — Canada's chief justice is welcoming the appointment of the first Indigenous member of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Canadian Press
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Justice Michelle O'Bonsawin participates in a special meeting of the Standing Committee, following her nomination to the Supreme Court of Canada, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. O'Bonsawin's appointment to be the first Indigenous justice on the Supreme Court of Canada is now official. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Canada's chief justice is welcoming the appointment of the first Indigenous member of the Supreme Court of Canada.

In a statement today, Richard Wagner says Michelle O'Bonsawin has proven herself to be principled, authentic and hard-working throughout her career as a lawyer and judge.

O'Bonsawin, who replaces retiring Justice Michael Moldaver, is a fluently bilingual Franco-Ontarian and an Abenaki member of the Odanak First Nation.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated O'Bonsawin earlier this month and on Friday confirmed her appointment to the top court effective Sept. 1.

Wagner will swear her in that same day at a private ceremony at the Supreme Court.

A formal welcome ceremony will take place in November.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2022.

The Canadian Press