Stonechild honoured with Indigenous Achievement Award for leadership

Jaylynn Stonechild, a second-year student at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law (USask Law), is the recipient of a 2026 USask Indigenous Achievement Award.

The award recognizes Stonechild’s exemplary leadership.

Each year during USask’s Indigenous Achievement Week – held this year from March 9 to 13 – the university honours Indigenous students in several categories: academic achievement, community engagement, leadership, research, and resiliency. 

Stonechild, a member of the Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, grew up in Saskatoon and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from USask in 2023 before starting law school. She said that from the time she was young, there were many discussions and teachings in her household about Treaty, Aboriginal rights, community development, reconciliation, and how to best represent Aboriginal peoples.

The distrust that many Indigenous peoples have in the justice system persists as a fundamental barrier to them ultimately pursuing justice, Stonechild says, which inspired her commitment to pursue a legal education. This reflects her responsibility to the resurgence of Indigenous peoples, she says.

“My motivation extends beyond my own academic goals; it is rooted in a responsibility to help open doors for the next generation of First Nations women, just as my Elders and predecessors did for me,” she says.

Playing an active role in her community through volunteering has always been, and continues to be, fundamental to her values, as she believes in the importance of hard work, education and relationship building, understanding change to be motivated not by charity, but by leadership.

Stonechild’s activities in the College of Law include:

• One of two 2L (second-year) Class Representatives on the Law Students’ Association (LSA)
• Chair of Student Representatives on the LSA
• Teaching assistant for Law 232 Kwayeskastasowin, the first-year course about Aboriginal people and the law
• Member of the college’s 2026 Kawaskimhon National Aboriginal Moot Team, representing USask Law at an event that draws teams from across the country

“The college was delighted to nominate Jaylynn for this award,” said USask Law Dean Martin Phillipson. “She exemplifies the ethos of our school, which is the lawyer as public servant, as she is dedicated to supporting and serving her community.”