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Congratulations to the Schulich School of Law’s Class of 2024! As we prepare for Convocation tomorrow, we are featuring our final Q&A with a graduating law student who is reflecting on their time at Weldon.

Today we're talking to Sophia Sidarous.

Why did you want to attend the Schulich School of Law?

I wanted to join the Schulich School of Law for its one-of-a-kind Indigenous Blacks and Mi’kmaq (IB&M) Initiative, which helped support me as a Mi'kmaw woman through my law school journey. It was also important for me to be on my territory, and to learn Mi'kmaq-specific Indigenous laws from amazing Mi'kmaq professors.

In what ways were you involved with the law school community?

I was the 2L representative of the Dalhousie Indigenous Law Students’ Association (DILSA) before I was nominated as co-president in my third year. My role with DILSA allowed me to create more events for our society and also gave me the opportunity to speak at the Law Hour we hosted in Mi'kmaq History Month.

In 2022, I was honoured to be asked to talk about the significance of feathers to Mi’kmaq at the welcoming ceremony for an eagle feather that was gifted to the Schulich School of Law by its Mi’kmaq alumni and faculty.

What does the Weldon Tradition mean to you?

The Weldon Tradition is a very special way for the law school to align its principles. To me, it goes beyond words and is embodied in the ways marginalized and racialized people are advocated for, by those in the legal profession. 

One way I embody the Weldon Tradition is in my role as a Mi’kmaw activist and land defender. I was recently featured in an episode of the docuseries Warrior Up!, which profiles young Indigenous activists who are making waves across Turtle Island. This unique circumstance gave me the chance to highlight why I feel the need to take care of my community’s sacred lands and to ensure that the area stays safe from industrial threats.

The Schulich School of Law is creating space for the stories and experiences of those who have been systemically oppressed, thus creating amazing opportunities for the legal profession to grow from a single living tree into a thriving ecosystem.

What is your favourite law school memory?

My favourite law school memory was taking part in the Criminal Clinic course (LAWS 2092) in my third year and going to court with others who plan to practice criminal law in the future.

What will you miss most about Schulich Law?

I will miss the law school’s home-like environment and the amazing professors who are always around to chat with students and to help them when needed. 

What are your post-graduation plans?

Post-graduation, I will be doing a shared articling with People’s Advocacy & Transformation Hub (PATH) Legal, a prisoner justice organization, and shadowing Indigenous provincial court judges in their work.

After articling I plan to work in criminal law, and hopefully in new emerging Mi’kmaq laws centered in criminal law.