Indigenous Law Students Association

ILSA Conference - March 15 - Paving the Way

The Indigenous Law Students Association was founded in the fall of 2011 to ensure that Indigenous perspectives would be considered and included within the Faculty of Law. ILSA is a student-led club, composed of an elected executive body.

Garfield Staats - President

Garfield Staats is the president of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ILSA) at TRU Law. As a proud Mohawk law student, he is dedicated to advancing Indigenous voices and perspectives within legal education and the broader justice system. Garfield brings a strong background in leadership, having previously served on the Board of Governors at the University of Northern British Columbia. He is passionate about strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, promoting cultural understanding and creating opportunities for mentorship and community engagement. Through ILSA, his goal is to foster an environment that celebrates Indigenous identity, supports Indigenous student success and encourages dialogue around the implementation of Indigenous laws and legal traditions. His commitment to advocacy and education continues to guide his efforts toward building a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.

Cely-Rae Streets

Cely-Rae Street is a Syilx woman from the Nicola Valley, guided by a deep commitment to community, justice and the strength of her ancestors. With a background in social work, she has witnessed the challenges Indigenous families face within colonial systems and is dedicated to using law as a tool for healing and systemic change. Cely-Rae believes it is vital for Indigenous voices to be heard, and for Indigenous people to be welcomed into spaces like law, where representation remains disproportionately low. Her experiences fuel her goal of building a career in family and/or criminal law that centres Indigenous perspectives and supports families through trauma-informed, culturally grounded advocacy. Rooted in her Syilx identity, she strives to create space for others to walk beside her, ensuring the next generation of Indigenous legal professionals feels seen, valued and empowered to lead.

Jessanna Jones

Jessanna Jones is a proud Métis woman and second-year Juris Doctor student at TRU Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Psychology from UBC Okanagan.

Before entering law, Jessanna worked in the mental health field as a high-risk youth counsellor, Indigenous student advocate and mental health program specialist with Métis Nation British Columbia. These experiences strengthened her ability to navigate complex systems with empathy, align diverse perspectives and craft solutions that serve both community interests and organizational objectives.

As vice-president of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association (ISLA), Jessanna fosters collaboration, mentorship and leadership development within ILSA and TRU Law. Her legal interests include Indigenous governance, negotiation and economic development, where she aims to help build frameworks that align legal, corporate and community priorities.

Grounded in purpose and guided by practicality, Jessanna is committed to advancing reconciliation through strategy, partnership and shared prosperity.