INDIGENOUS BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS THE LEGACY OF TRAILBLAZER MARION IRONQUIL MEADMORE

The Indigenous Bar Association in Canada (IBA) mourns the passing and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Marion Ironquil Meadmore, one of the first Indigenous women lawyers in Canada and a founding force in the advancement of Indigenous rights, self-determination, and community-led solutions.

Called to the Manitoba Bar in 1978, Marion Ironquil Meadmore was a trailblazer whose legal and community work transformed the lives of countless Indigenous Peoples. She opened doors for those who followed her, challenging systemic barriers and demonstrating that Indigenous legal excellence is inseparable from Indigenous resurgence.

A proud member of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Ironquil Meadmore brought forward a vision grounded in Indigenous governance, economic empowerment, and cultural revitalization. Her influence helped shape key national and regional organizations, including the Canadian Indian Lawyers Association—now the Indigenous Bar Association—the Assembly of First Nations, and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Beyond the legal field, Ironquil Meadmore co-founded Canada’s first Indigenous and Métis Friendship Centre, helped launch Kinew Housing—the country’s first Indigenous-led nonprofit housing corporation—and championed opportunities for Indigenous women and families long before such work was acknowledged by mainstream institutions. Her contributions were recognized with the Order of Canada and an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba.

“Marion Ironquil Meadmore exemplified what it means to be a visionary,” said IBA President Drew Lafond. “She broke ground not only as one of the first Indigenous women called to the bar, but as an institution builder whose work laid the foundation for generations of Indigenous lawyers, leaders, and change-makers. Her life reminds us of the strength in community, the power of self-determination, and the enduring impact of Indigenous women in law.”

The Indigenous Bar Association offers its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Marion Ironquil Meadmore. May her memory continue to inspire and guide us in the pursuit of justice and Indigenous self-determination.

The IBA is the national non-profit organization representing Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) lawyers (practicing and non-practicing), judges, legal academics and scholars, articling clerks and law students, including graduate and post-graduate law students and paralegals in Canada. The IBA’s mandate includes, inter alia, advocating for the recognition of Indigenous laws, legal traditions, protocols and processes; promoting the reform of policies and laws affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada; and fostering public awareness within the legal community in respect of legal and social issues of concern to Indigenous peoples in Canada. For more information, please visit www.indigenousbar.ca.