2012 Summer Internships
Interns
Aaron Dewitt – Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC), Fairbanks, Alaska
Aaron is entering his second year of the JD programme at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University. He has a BA from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and a MSc in philosophy from the University of Edinburgh. Previously, Aaron worked as an intern at a social equity not-for-profit in Jerusalem and was involved with the Roma Community Centre in Toronto, the only Roma rights advocacy group in Canada. With an interest in the convergence of indigenous law, human rights, resource extraction and governance, Aaron is very excited to be joining the YRITWC office in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Anita Nathan – Law Society of Nunavut, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Anita completed her first year of law at the University of New Brunswick. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Anita completed two internships in Sri Lanka conducting research on federalism in the country as well as implementing a community development project in the North, East and Hill Country regions. She has a keen interest in human rights and social justice issues and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge on Aboriginals and living in Northern Canada. Anita has travelled mainly in Asia including Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia and next on her destination list is East Africa. In her free time Anita enjoys trying unusual cuisine, cooking, dance and movies.
Charu Kumar – UNDP, Timor-Leste
Charu is in the second year of University of Toronto’s combined Juris Doctor/Master’s of Global Affairs Program. She obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration and Minor in Economics from the University of Toronto in 2009. In the summer of 2011, Charu interned in Sao Paulo, Brazil with a human rights NGO called Conectas Direitos Humanos, which seeks to pressure the Brazilian government for change using various advocacy methods. Charu’s primary interest rests in the area of human rights advocacy and legal development, particularly in post-conflict regions. As such, she is thrilled about spending this summer working with the UNDP in Timor-Leste on their Justice System Programme.
Georgia Pears, Yukon River Intertribal Watershed Council (YRITWC), Anchorage, Alaska
Georgia is currently completing her second year at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. Prior to studying law, she earned a joint degree in English Literature and Canadian Studies from McGill University, volunteered for Free the Children in Kenya, backpacked across India, Nepal and South East Asia, lived and worked on an organic mulberry farm in rural Laos, helped develop and implement a new meal program in the soup kitchen of a homeless shelter in Surrey B.C., and was a program assistant to children with developmental disabilities on the Squamish First Nations reserve in Vancouver. From these experiences – at home and abroad – Georgia has developed a strong interest in natural resource, environmental and Aboriginal law and expects that her 4 months working for YRITWC will be a highly valuable and fascinating extension of her legal education in these areas. She has traveled in many parts of the world but this will be her first adventure in the North. Georgia’s internship is supported by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.
Haley Hrymak – Federation of Women’s Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya), Mombasa, Kenya
Haley is a first year Law student at the University of Manitoba. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Native Studies from Brandon University. Haley has always had a passion for human rights issues, and in 2010 she volunteered in Nepal with the International Seminar program offered through WUSC (World University Service of Canada). After having a fulfilling experience in Nepal, she then travelled to Cambodia in 2011 volunteering as an English Teacher/Tutor through the Student’s Without Borders program, also offered through WUSC. Haley looks forward to spending the summer learning from and contributing to FIDA (Federation of Women’s Lawyers).
Jacqueline Madden – Asia Foundation, Timor-Leste
Jacqueline Madden is a first year law student at McGill University. Before beginning her legal studies, Jacqueline obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from Concordia University. Jacqueline has always been actively involved in volunteer programs. Before beginning law school, Jacqueline spent a year volunteering, working and traveling eastern and southern Africa. She volunteered in Gulu, Uganda with Concordia’s Volunteer Abroad Program, worked as a reporter for the Times of Swaziland in Mbabane, Swaziland, and volunteered as a teacher in Lilayi, Zambia. Jacqueline is looking to forward to her internship with The Asia Foundation in Timor-Leste, where she can continue to learn about human rights and good governance in the developing world. Jacqueline’s internship is supported by the Calgary Foundation.
James Billingsley – UNDP, Timor-Leste
James Billingsley is in his first year of law school at the University of Victoria. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, he spent a year studying gamelan and Bahasa Indonesia in Central Java as part of the Darmasiswa Scholarship Program. He is the current president of the International Law and Human Rights Association at his university, and an active voice in the Poverty Law Club and Radical Law Club. In his spare time, James enjoys writing and traveling. He is looking forward to working with the United Nations Development Program in Timor-Leste this summer.
Jerry Nguyen – ECPAT International, Bangkok, Thailand
Jerry is a first year law student at Queen’s University. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia. Prior to law school, Jerry worked in project management consulting, where she specialized in healthcare capital projects, organizational change and educational technology. In particular, she worked closely with health authorities and higher education institutions on initiatives to promote access to healthcare in rural areas. Jerry’s passion for active community involvement is demonstrated by her previous roles as an Aboriginal child and youth mental health coordinator, a women’s support group volunteer, diabetes awareness volunteer, as well as her current position as a caseworker at Queen’s Legal Aid. She is excited for her internship with ECPAT, and opportunity which combines her longstanding interest in human rights with her aspiration to work abroad.
Lara Green – ECPAT International, Bangkok, Thailand
Lara is currently completing her first year of law school at Dalhousie University, where she also completed a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science and International Development Studies. Prior to starting law school, Lara worked at the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs as a Settlement Worker for new immigrant students and their families, and was the Course Coordinator for the International Ocean Institute’s Training Programme that was attended by 15 participants from around the world. Lara is Chair of the Board for FUN Society, an environmental education NGO, and volunteers with the Emergency Response Team of the Red Cross. She is also an active member of the Social Activist Law Student Association at Dalhousie. Lara has traveled extensively throughout the world, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to intern at ECPAT, contributing to an organization that works on such critical issues, while also developing legal skills to pursue a career in international human rights.
Lija Pukitis – Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC), Ancorage, Alaska
Lija is in her first year of law school at the University of Windsor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Queen’s University. Lija has always been passionate about human rights and the rule of law, and her interest in Aboriginal law was sparked when she worked at the Aboriginal Student Center at Queen’s University. She loves adventure and the outdoors, and spent the past two summers tree planting in interior British Columbia. Her other volunteer experiences include the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler, British Columbia, organizational behavior research at the Queen’s School of Business, and currently working as a case worker at the Windsor Law Community Legal Aid Clinic. In her spare time, Lija loves skiing, camping, travelling, listening to music and painting. While Lija has spent time abroad before, this will be her first trip to Canada’s north. Lija is looking forward to interning with YRITWC to expand her knowledge of the law, and Aboriginal land and water rights.
Peter Lavelle – Legal Services Board, Maliiganik, Nunavut
Peter Lavelle is a second-year law student at the University of Saskatchewan. During his undergraduate studies, Peter focused on biology, physics, and mathematics. He obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, and then went on to teach high school math and science in Toronto and in Seoul, South Korea. Peter developed an interest in social justice while working at a free legal clinic in Saskatoon. After first year law, he spent the summer in Cambodia, working with Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, a human rights NGO. He is looking forward to working in Iqaluit this summer with the Legal Services Board of Nunavut.
Stephen Hedley – Yukon Conservation Society (YCS), Whitehorse, Yukon
Stephen is presently completing his first year of law at the University of British Columbia. Prior to returning to school he worked as a production coordinator, script writer and freelance writer and editor in Vancouver. Stephen came to law school with an interest in aboriginal law, human rights law and environmental law. He looks forward to exploring these interests further in the course of his internship with the Yukon Conservation Society. In his spare time Stephen enjoys making music, hiking, biking, camping and basketball. Although he has travelled widely, Stephen has yet to see Canada’s north and is very excited to explore Whitehorse and the Yukon this summer.
Morna Boyle – Legal Services Board, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Morna is a second year English Common Law student who is interested in Aboriginal land international human rights, with a particular focus on gender equality. Before attending law school, Morna worked on development initiatives in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mexico and Cambodia, on various issues such as women’s rights, livelihood building, disaster preparedness and workers’ collective bargaining rights. She is honoured and excited to be participating in CLA’s Northern Internship Program this summer in Rankin Inlet.
Nora Demnati – Federation of Women Lawyer’s (FIDA-Kenya), Nairobi, Kenya
Nora is a first-year Law student at University of Montreal. She has a great interest in international law and human rights, and enjoys discovering new cultures. Her taste for discoveries and adventure led her to travel in various countries. During the summer of 2010, she went to India for a cultural exchange in a Tibetan refugee community where she taught English to Tibetan monks. In 2011, she spent two months in Vietnam working on developing educational programs implemented in orphanages. This experience was run by student-led organisation named AIESEC. Her will to use law to promote human rights has also led her to apply to this internship and she cannot wait to work for women’s rights in Kenya.
Tamara Moore – Canadian Lawyers Abroad (CLA), Ottawa, Ontario
Tamara is from the James Bay area and is a member of the Cree Nation. She recently completed her second year of law school at the University of Ottawa. Prior to attending law school, Tamara worked with Aboriginal children and families in the social work field. This experience sparked an interest in Family and Aboriginal Law. Previously, Tamara obtained a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Laurentian University in 2002 and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto in 2006. She enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family. Tamara is looking forward to having the privilege to be a part of CLA’s initiative to empower Aboriginal youth. Tamara’s internship is supported by Norton Rose.
Elliot Bridgewater – Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Accra, Ghana
Elliot is currently finishing his first year of law school at University of Alberta. His previous academic qualifications include a BA in political science from the U of A and an MA in political science from Dalhousie University. Elliot’s interest in how power operates within and between societies and in working to realize more equitable outcomes on the ground has been sustained throughout his academic, professional, and international travel experiences. He is currently President of the U of A Chapter of CLA, engaging fellow students in international and aboriginal law issues, as well as actively involved in Student Legal Services, providing legal representation for low income individuals and students in the community. Elliot is looking forward to working with CDD in Accra, Ghana this summer, and embrace a new and exciting adventure in the process.
Anna Du Vent – Beyond Borders, Ottawa, Ontario
Anna is currently completing her first year of law at the University of Ottawa. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from the University of Victoria and a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University. She has worked with various NGOs focussed on youth development and education. These have included international work experiences in the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, and Jamaica. She also piloted a unique youth skills building project at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre in Victoria, BC. She is looking forward to merging her interest in youth work with the projects at Beyond Borders. This summer when she is not “on the job” Anna will be gardening and training for her second marathon.
Jordan Sewell – Behdzi Ahda First Nation, Colville Lake, NWT
Jordan is in his second year of law at Queen’s University. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University after which he worked for both a boutique recording studio and CBC Radio in Toronto. Additionally, a number of programs he produced in development with XM Radio went to air prior to attending law school. He still finds time to croon over the airwaves with a weekly legal issues radio show broadcast on the Queen’s campus. Jordan first became interested in Aboriginal affairs during his seven years as a canoe trip guide in northern Ontario and Québec. During this time, he had the chance to work closely with Cree and Ojibway communities performing environmental maintenance and emergency evacuations for injured trippers. Having just completed a substantial term paper on the self-governance issues arising out of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Jordan is thrilled to be working so closely with the Behdzi Ahda First Nation in developing their proposed Self Government. In his spare time, Jordan loves recording interesting sounds for his budding SFX library and practicing yoga.
Laura Morrison- Building Markets, Ottawa, ON
Laura Morrison just completed her first year of the English Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa. She obtained a Bachelors of Social Sciences in Political Science and History also from the University of Ottawa. In 2010-2011 as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Laura completed a Masters of Law in International Security at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. During the school year Laura works as a Tour Guide on Parliament Hill and as a Student Ambassador for the Faculty of Law. She volunteers her time mentoring international students arriving at the University and also at a local Supper Table. Laura is excited to work with the dynamic team at Building Markets and to learn about the legal issues facing an international non-profit.
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