On June 14, 2014, it was another historic milestone this graduating season for another member of the Nisga’a Nation.

Debra Febril, from Laxgalt’sap, became the first Nisga’a ever to graduate from Canada’s newest law school, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, BC.

Debra was part of the first 73 law students to graduate from TRU.  Dressed in her regalia, Debra proudly walked across the stage at the convocation to receive her Juris Doctor of Laws Degree from Chancellor Wally Oppal, who has served as Attorney General, Justice of the Supreme Court of BC and Justice of the BC Court of Appeal.  The event was attended by several other distinguished guests including the Honourable Lance Finch, the former Chief Justice of the BC Court of Appeal, who received his honorary Doctor of Laws, as did former Premier Gordon Campbell.

Debra completed her undergraduate degree in English and has worked hard for the last three years to reach this important landmark in her career, all while raising her two children.

Her family was of course on hand, including the Speaker of the Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a, Craig McKay, who also travelled from the Nass Valley to attend her graduation representing the Nisga’a Village of Laxgalts’ap.

At the request of NLG, I was asked to personally present a letter of congratulations on behalf of President H. Mitchell Stevens, which included the following:

“The completion of your legal studies makes you a part of the legal history of the Nisga’a Nation.  When we sued the Crown for recognition of aboriginal title in the Calder decision, Nisga’a Nation re-opened the land question in BC which contributed towards the establishment of the federal comprehensive land claims process in Canada.  During the First Ministers Conferences in the 1970’s and 1980’s, we were part of the efforts to draft the proposed language for s. 35 that ensured aboriginal and treaty rights were recognized and affirmed as part the Canadian constitution.  As a result, the rights of the Nisga’a Nation are now constitutionally protected and perfected under the Nisga’a Final Agreement.

A degree in law opens the doors to a wide variety opportunities, and with your degree, you have the skills and opportunity to make your eventual contribution towards this proud legacy.

On behalf of Nisga’a Nation, I wish you all the best on your great day of celebration.”

When she received the letter which I read aloud to her, Debra appeared quite moved by this gesture of support.

So on behalf of Nisga’a Lisims Government, congratulations to you Debra as you boldly move on to the next stage of your legal career.