Tawny Allison and Chanel Carlson, who graduated in 2021 and served as ILSA co-presidents from 2020-2021, were at the forefront of the transformation. The transition represented a fundamental shift in how Indigenous students participate in student governance in the institution.
"The transition from ILSA to ILSG was motivated by the need to move beyond a club model that only symbolically included Indigenous students but did not meaningfully recognize their authority, voice or governance systems," Allison explained.
The creation of ILSG established a governance structure shaped by Indigenous students themselves and grounded in the recognition that Indigenous Peoples have their own laws, responsibilities, and ways of governing. Recognition by the Faculty gave institutional weight to Indigenous student leadership and ensured Indigenous perspectives had a meaningful seat at the table.
“This change was important because it affirmed that Indigenous students were not merely participating in the institution, but a collective with a rightful place in shaping it.”
Tawny Allison, JD ‘21
— Senior Executive, Walpole Island First Nation Chief & Council
“Five years later, it brings me so much joy to see ILSG still creating community, still taking up space, and still asserting why taking up that space matters.”
Chanel Carlson, JD ‘21
— Associate Lawyer at Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP
For Tasha Simon, Senior Specialist, Indigenous Programs, the anniversary represents both a professional and personal milestone. As a former member of ILSA herself, Simon has witnessed the evolution from student association to student governance firsthand.
“It has been an honour to witness the tremendous progress of the ILSG, particularly in their advocacy for the Indigenous law student experience,” she says. “It has been a privilege to work along side them advancing initiatives that are meaningful to students.”
Reflecting on how far Indigenous student leadership has come within the Faculty, Simon notes that “it feels like a full circle moment. From being a member of ILSA aspiring to see Indigenous sovereignty recognized within the faculty of law, to now working within the faculty and collaborating with the ILSG to help advance that work.”
In its first five years, ILSG has built initiatives designed to improve the experience of Indigenous law students.
Shelby Wilson (formerly Empey) and Polsia Carrozza, who graduated in 2023 and served as co-presidents during their last year in law school, focused on reducing barriers to legal education while strengthening support systems for Indigenous learners.
“Law school, and accessing textbooks in particular, can be cost-prohibitive,” say Wilson and Carrozza. “We were looking for tangible ways to support students, both financially and through mentorship. We wanted to ensure every Indigenous learner was set up for success from the outset.”
Among the initiatives launched during their leadership was a partnership with the firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, which supports Indigenous students through funding for textbooks and student fees. They also launched the annual Orange Shirt fundraiser and competition. Each year, an original artwork by an Indigenous artist is selected to be featured on orange t-shirts, in honour of September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt day). Proceeds from the sale of the shirts support Indigenous businesses and charitable initiatives while raising awareness about the legacy of residential schools and the ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation.
“When advocating for long-term funding for ILSG, we wanted to emphasize that reconciliation is a shared responsibility.”
Shelby Wilson, JD ‘23
— Disputes Associate, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
“Our goal was to ensure that all law students engaged meaningfully with Indigenous perspectives, while improving supports and visibility for Indigenous students within the Faculty.”
Polsia Carrozza, JD ‘23
— Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Beyond these initiatives, they say one of ILSG's most important contributions has been creating a community where Indigenous students could gather, support one another, and feel a sense of belonging throughout law school.
For outgoing co-president Lauren Aussant, that sense of community became one of the defining aspects of her law school experience.
“ILSG brought me community, mentors, and some of my closest friends.”
Lauren Aussant, JD ‘26
Aussant says ILSG also provided a “concrete example of Indigenous self-government, self-determination, and leadership.
“Being a part of a recognized student government founded on shared Indigenous values and diverse traditions allowed me to contribute, even in a small way, to the movement towards self-government for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.”
That commitment to building a strong foundation for future generations of student leaders continued with the recent completion of ILSG's constitution, a project that outgoing co-president Ben Surmachynski helped work on over several. Years. He recalls that “it was a difficult process which required putting our processes in writing and ensuring that the wording we used enabled interpretation for unforeseen circumstances. We had to ensure our word selection allowed for a broad interpretation in the future.”
“We wanted to ensure future ILSG students had room to operate effectively.”
Ben Surmachynski, JD ‘26
The constitution was developed over nearly three years and establishes a formal governance framework intended to guide future student leaders while remaining adaptable to future needs.
Dean Kristen Boon is impressed with how the ILSG has “built this organization in their own way — developing rules of governance that reflect the decision-making traditions and values of their communities.”
She also highlighted the meaningful contributions they are making beyond the classroom. “I want to thank [ILSG] for taking their place at the table and for contributing so actively to important issues, including faculty hiring. Their leadership and engagement makes our faculty so much stronger."
As ILSG enters its next chapter, incoming co-presidents Emily Paul and Jessica Howson are focused on building upon the foundation created by those who came before them.
Paul, who is entering her second year of law school, says ILSG was one of the reasons she chose to move from the East Coast to Ottawa.
“ILSG represents a community of people who want to do the good work.”
Emily Paul
— 2026-2027 ILSG co-president
For Howson, who joined ILSG in September 2025, the most meaningful experience so far has been the sense of community that ILSG has given her. “It has allowed me to build strong relationships and feel supported throughout my time in law school.”
She highlights the role ILSG plays in ensuring Indigenous voices are represented and heard within educational institutions.
“Indigenous voices are often minimalized or excluded, and in an educational setting it is especially important that our experiences, values and perspectives are represented throughout the university.”
Jessica Howson
— 2026-2027 ILSG co-president
Looking ahead, both incoming co-presidents hope ILSG's model of Indigenous student governance will continue to grow in influence and inspire similar initiatives at other institutions.
Five years after its creation, ILSG stands as a powerful example of student leadership creating institutional change. From advocating for Indigenous representation and student supports to building governance structures that will guide future generations, Indigenous law students have transformed not only their own experience at uOttawa Law, but the Faculty itself.
As Allison reflects, the story of ILSG is ultimately one of resilience, responsibility, and resurgence. “Our presence was never accidental but rather, part of a much larger story of survival, responsibility and resurgence,” she says.