Hayley Gendron is a law student in the University of Victoria’s joint degree program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders. As a member of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and an avid mountaineer and paddler, her passions lay at the intersection of Indigenous and environmental rights, which she views as inherently connected and inseparable.   

Throughout her law school journey and summer positions, Hayley has had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with leading academics and lawyers dedicated to revitalizing and upholding Indigenous laws. She has worked with several First Nations, addressing critical issues such as land protection, treaty implementation, and self-governance within their respective legal orders and the common law framework. She has participated in projects with Pro Bono Students Canada, UVic’s Environmental Law Clinic, and the Balance Co/Lab Initiative.  

Hayley holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of British Columbia, and prior to starting law school aided in forestry research in Patagonia, guided in the Rocky Mountains, and worked on Indigenous-led climate action projects in Latin America. Her extensive time spent on the land keeps her grounded and fuels her commitment to translating her passions into a legal career dedicated to serving people, land, and waters. 

Hayley is of mixed Algonquin (Omamìwìnini) and English descent, and is grateful to live and learn on W̱SÁNEĆ territory.