NAN Congratulates North Spirit Lake First Nation Member Desta Buswa on Judicial Appointment

LAC SEUL FIRST NATION: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the Executive Council, congratulates North Spirit Lake First Nation member Desta Buswa, who was officially sworn in today as a Justice of the Peace of the Ontario Court of Justice:

“On behalf of Nishnawbe Aski Nation I am proud to congratulate our friend Desta. Her appointment as Justice of the Peace is worthy recognition of her dedication to serving others, and her commitment to public service will serve her well in her new role.

Desta is widely known as a caring and dedicated person, and I am confident she will serve with fairness, integrity and compassion. Her appointment also sets an important example for our young people, who deserve to see members of their own communities in positions of responsibility throughout the justice system.

NAN members are grossly overrepresented in the correctional system, but are sorely underrepresented in the judiciary. Desta’s appointment is a small but meaningful step toward addressing these systemic inequities. Greater First Nations representation brings valuable perspectives to the administration of justice and can help strengthen confidence in a system that has too often failed our people.

We celebrate this achievement with Desta, her family and community, and wish her every success as she begins this important chapter of public service.”

A respected teacher and educator, Desta has dedicated her career to supporting First Nations students and strengthening connections between education and community. Through her work with Keewaytinook Internet High School and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education, she has helped young people succeed while staying connected to their communities, language and culture.

Today’s ceremony was led by the Honourable Sharon Nicklas, Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice; the Honourable David Gibson, Regional Senior Justice; and Denette Ellard, Regional Senior Justice of the Peace.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca