Gavin Cazon-Wilkes, a 2023 law school graduate who grew up in Fort Simpson, is a success story who could embody the saying, SA国际影视传媒楧onSA国际影视传媒檛 believe everything you think.SA国际影视传媒�

As a youth, Cazon-Wilkes said he found school studies SA国际影视传媒渜uite difficult.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 good at science. I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 good at math. And with how school was taught, at least where I went, if you werenSA国际影视传媒檛 good at math or you werenSA国际影视传媒檛 good at science, you werenSA国际影视传媒檛 really succeeding to pursue other things,SA国际影视传媒� Cazon-Wilkes said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 think I was smart enough to even pass high school, and I wanted to drop out, but thatSA国际影视传媒檚 because I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 feel smart enough.SA国际影视传媒�

This was an instance, however, where Cazon-Wilkes was mistaken. While he subsequently went to work as a manual labourer in the construction industry, he soon realized how physically demanding the job was, even at his young age.

Forging a new path

It was during that time, however, that he recalled receiving a pamphlet from the University of Alberta when he was in high school.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know you could enter fine arts and humanities at the time, and I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know they offered theatre,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

After doing a bit of research into the universitySA国际影视传媒檚 programs, Cazon-Wilkes discovered that he could enroll in a fine arts and drama program on a small campus SA国际影视传媒� ideal and less intimidating for someone who grew up in the small community of Fort Simpson, he said.

While earning his degree, Cazon-Wilkes, who is of Dene descent, found a niche for his passion of creating opportunities for Indigenous youth on the stage.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was really passionate about uplifting the next generation of Indigenous leaders, and theatre was a great platform. The stage is a wonderful medium for Indigenous advocacy.

SA国际影视传媒淪o thatSA国际影视传媒檚 exactly what I did. I wrote plays on Indigenous identity struggles.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut after my undergrad degree, I thought OK, what next? What do I want to do next?

SA国际影视传媒淎nd then I discovered philosophy.SA国际影视传媒�

Having two professors who deeply instilled in him thoughts on fairness, the meaning of justice and numerous other classical philosophical questions led him to consider law as a profession.

While that career path might have appeared to be somewhat ironic for someone who, as a youth, had struggles with the law, Cazon-Wilkes instead sees that chapter in his life as the result of being an Indigenous youth not knowing where he fit into society and therefore not living up to his full potential.

That desire to help others also could have been a deeper calling SA国际影视传媒� one from his ancestral roots.

SA国际影视传媒淢y great-grandfather was Baptiste Cazon, and he was the longest serving chief in Fort Simpson, from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Another persuading factor in his decision to attend law school was his knowledge of the Saskatchewan trial that took place after Colten Boushie, an Indigenous man, was fatally shot by farm owner Gerald Stanley during an attempted theft of property.

That case and subsequent acquittal of Stanley impressed upon Cazon-Wilkes the need for justice for Indigenous peoples.

SA国际影视传媒淚 thought, wow. In this day and age, Indigenous people are being treated like this by the justice system. And even today, you know, I refuse to call it the justice system, because justice means equality and equity and fair treatment. That still doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 happen. I call it the legal system.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淪o I thought, OK, I think I want to go down this route,SA国际影视传媒� he said of his decision to enter law school.

Onward, forward

Cazon-Wilkes, a proud Treaty 11 status band member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, is now an articling student with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge in Edmonton.

During his years in law school, he led numerous initiatives and programs with a goal of inspiring others and working towards equality in the justice system.

Notably, he was awarded the 2023 Hon. Cecilia Johnstone Equality Award SA国际影视传媒� one which is presented to a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution to social equality in the community or at law school.

Presented by University of Alberta Law School dean Barbara Billingsley during his graduating class banquet, she praised Cazon-WilkesSA国际影视传媒� dedication.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a law student and as chair of the Indigenous Law Students Association, Gavin has devoted huge amounts of time and effort to building a strong sense of community among his fellow students. His passion for equality principles and his compassion for everyone around him is clearly evident in everything he does. He is most deserving of this recognition,SA国际影视传媒� Billingsley said in her presenting speech.

Different definitions of success

Cazon-Wilkes said while at first, he did not have confidence in his own abilities to know he could succeed, he wants to inspire others to believe in themselves.

SA国际影视传媒淲ithin any program, if you are true to yourself, and you work hard to apply your unique perspective and remain honest with who you are SA国际影视传媒� and are proud of who you are SA国际影视传媒� when you enter the classroom and when you enter these institutions, you can do great and amazing things,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 believe every Northerner and every Dene is capable of achieving success without a doubt.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut success looks different for everybody, so just realize success doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 just mean getting a degree or becoming a lawyer like myselfSA国际影视传媒� that success can also be learning the (Dene) language. Success can be knowing how to hunt, fish and trap on your traditional home. Success can be one day becoming involved with chief and council,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淎ttaining degrees of success is capable and achievable by anyone. It just might look different and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 OK.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒擝y Jill Westerman

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