Dawn Johnson
Dawn is of mixed Cree, Dene, and European ancestry and is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Northern Alberta. Before beginning her legal career, Dawn had a career in community and social services as an advocate for those involved in the child welfare and criminal justice systems, working in both government and the non-profit sector.
After obtaining her law degree, Dawn worked with the First Nations Leadership Council, with a primary focus on advancing and supporting First Nations jurisdiction in child and family services, education and early learning, and childcare. She also worked in the areas of MMIWG2S+, justice and issues related to sex-based discrimination in the Indian Act.
Dawn is deeply grateful for the support, mentorship, and teachings she has received throughout her personal and professional journey and is committed to using her legal education to give back to the community however she can.
Profile
Dawn joined Mandell Pinder LLP as an articling student and then became an associate with the firm in 2024. She was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2024.
Judicial Law Clerk, British Columbia Supreme Court (2022-2023)
J.D., University of British Columbia (2019)
Bachelor of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria (2016)
Supports First Nations governments and organizations in community engagement and governance work
Supports First Nations governments and organizations in advancing jurisdiction over child and family services and early learning and childcare
Member, Law Society of B.C.
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Contributor: CLEBC Child and Family Services Law and Practice Manual, 2022
Presenter, Children, Youth, and Families, CLEBC Indigenous Women and the Law Conference, May 27, 2022
Presenter, Child & Family Wellness, CLEBC Indigenous Legal Orders Conference, June 22, 2021
Presenter, Wrapping Our Ways: Indigenous Child Welfare Conference 2020, Indigenous Communities and Federal Child Welfare Legislation, CLEBC
Editorial Board Member & Community Presenter: Second Edition. Wrapping Our Ways Around Them: Indigenous Communities and Child Welfare Guidebook.
Presenter, Voice of the Children: The Experience of Youth in Care, PBLI Indigenous Child Welfare Conference 2019
Board Member, Battered Women’s Support Services
Past Board Member, West Coast Prison Justice Society
Host/Coordinator, Annual Youth Care Family Holiday Dinner