Edmonton, AB, December 9, 2024: Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, is proud to announce the appointment of Lisa D. Weber, K.C., as President of the Board of Directors.
Lisa is Métis with kinship connections to northern Alberta, particularly the communities of Calling Lake and the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement.
Lisa received her LL.B. from the University of Alberta in 1999 and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 2000. In 2005, she received her LL.M. from the University of Manitoba. She is a member of the Alberta Bar, and a member of the Law Societies of British Columbia and Manitoba.
Lisa’s law practice focuses on Indigenous law, advocacy, and governance. For the past 20 years, She has worked for Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, and individuals across Canada. For years, Lisa was an adjudicator and Deputy Chief Adjudicator in the Independent Assessment Process presiding over claims of former students at Indian Residential Schools for sexual and physical abuse they endured.
Lisa previously held the role of President of the Esquao Board and served as legal counsel for Esquao throughout the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She continues to coordinate the response to federal government on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and in 2017 received Esquao’s Social Justice Award.
In 2018, Lisa received the National Zenith L expert Mid-Career Excellence Award for achievements in Aboriginal Law. In 2019, she was welcomed into Esquao’s prestigious Circle of Honour and received the Dorothy McDonald Leadership Award for her advocacy work in pursuing justice for Indigenous Women. In 2022, Lisa received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for contributions to community, and in 2024 received King’s Counsel designation for her contributions to the legal profession and community.
Esquao wishes outgoing President Josie Nepinak much success in her new role as President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, at 780-479-8195 or 1-877-471-2171.
Esquao is the stylized version of the Cree word for woman.