Indigenous Scholarship

The Law Society is pleased to offer a scholarship for Indigenous students enrolled in full-time legal studies in British Columbia.

The scholarship may be awarded to one student ($20,000), or divided equally between two students ($10,000 per student), at the discretion of the selection committee. The Indigenous Scholarship aims to enhance the representation of Indigenous lawyers in British Columbia by supporting their legal education.

Who is eligible?

The Indigenous Scholarship is open to Canadian Indigenous students who are enrolled in full time studies at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria or Thompson Rivers University law schools.

What are the selection criteria?

The Credentials Committee will take into consideration:

academic standing;
positive social contributions, such as volunteer work;
the applicant's intention to practise in BC after completing legal studies; and
financial need.

How to apply

A candidiate must submit a letter to the Law Society setting out the details of the applicant's academic career, social contributions, intention to practise in BC upon completion of legal studies, and financial need.

The application letter must be accompanied by:

official transcripts of the applicant's academic career;
proof of enrolment in a law school in British Columbia;
two letters of recommendation from the applicant's law school (preferably one academic reference, and one reference confirming the applicant’s social contributions); and
proof of Canadian Indigenous ancestry, specifically, a photocopy of either a status, citizenship, membership, registration, or enrolment card issued by:
- The Registrar of the Federal Government’s “Indian” Register;
- A Band within the meaning of the Indian Act that has control of its membership list;
- An Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement;
- An Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada;
- An Inuit organization that is recognized by the Government of Nunavut;
- One of the Métis Settlements in Alberta;
- A provincial organization that is a member of the Métis National Council, which includes the Métis Nation of British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, the Manitoba Métis Federation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario; or
- A Métis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada.

A non-status First Nation person is required to submit a front and back copy of their parent’s Indigenous card and the student’s long form birth certificate or baptismal certificate. Both documents must list the student’s name and the parent’s name showing the link between the student and the parent.

The application letter (including the applicant's email address and phone number) and accompanying materials should be mailed to:

Lesley Small
Senior Director, Credentials, Professional Development & Practice Support
Law Society of British Columbia
800 – 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 4Z9

What is the deadline for submission?

All documents must be submitted to the Law Society no later than April 30 of any given year.

For more information, contact the Senior Director, Credentials, Professional Development & Practice Support.

2025 recipients

Clarissa Peter and Cely-Rae Street

Clarissa Peter (she/her) is from the Quw’ut’sun community and is currently a JD/JID candidate at the University of Victoria (UVic). Her academic journey has been guided by a commitment to advancing Indigenous legal perspectives and making legal processes more accessible for Indigenous peoples.

At UVic, Clarissa served as the Residence Education Community Leader for the Indigenous Living Learning Community, where she has created a supportive and culturally rich environment for Indigenous students. Through workshops, events, and collaborations with local communities, she has promoted reconciliation, cultural understanding, and Indigenous well-being on campus. She is currently a research assistant doing Indigenous research.

Clarissa’s legal interests include access to justice for Indigenous peoples, Indigenous legal orders, restorative justice, and the integration of legal traditions into the broader legal framework. Upon graduation, she intends to practice law in British Columbia, serving Indigenous communities, including her own Quw’ut’sun people, and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.

Cely-Rae Street (she/her) is an Indigenous woman of Syilx ancestry, connected to the Okanagan Indian Band, and a lifelong resident of the Nlaka’pamux Nation territories. She is pursuing her Juris Doctor at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Faculty of Law, following the completion of a Bachelor of Social Work at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.

Prior to law school, Cely-Rae worked as an Indigenous Community Legal Worker at the Parents Legal Centre and as the Operations Manager of Scw’exmx Child & Family Services Society. Her frontline experience supporting Indigenous families impacted by the child welfare system inspired her to pursue a legal career in family and criminal law, with the goal of practising in Kamloops and serving the communities that have shaped her.

At TRU, she is actively involved in student leadership and advocacy as a member of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association, the Representative for Indigenous Initiatives on the TRU Law Committee for 2025-2026, and a Student Representative on the TRU Student Academic Appeals Committee.

Cely-Rae is committed to using her legal education to advocate for justice, particularly for Indigenous peoples engaged with the child welfare and criminal justice systems, and to contribute to the future of legal practice in British Columbia with integrity, tenacity, compassion and cultural humility.