Student associations TRU Faculty of Law

Society of Law Students

The TRU Society of Law Students is TRU Law’s active student group, which organizes a number of exciting events and activities for law students throughout the year such as Orientation Week, golf tournaments, and an annual trip for new graduates.

Visit the SLS website

Indigenous Law Students Association

Welcome to Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law, situated on the traditional and unceded Secwepemc (Shuswap) territory.

TRU ILSA strives to create a welcoming environment for all students attending TRU Law by assisting in intercultural learning and by liaising with cultural resources both on and off campus. We engage with the Faculty of Law, the greater TRU community and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc to promote diversity, equity and Indigenous perspectives within the law by creating and supporting events for ILSA members and the community.

Indigenous Law Students Association Team Photo

ILSA Conference - March 15 - Paving the Way

The Indigenous Law Students Association was founded in the fall of 2011 to ensure that Indigenous perspectives would be considered and included within the Faculty of Law. ILSA is a student-led club, composed of an elected executive body.

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Meet our executive team

Cely-Rae Streets - Co-President

Cely-Rae Streets is a Syilx woman from the Nicola Valley, guided by a deep commitment to community, justice and the strength of her ancestors. With a background in social work, she has witnessed the challenges Indigenous families face within colonial systems and is dedicated to using law as a tool for healing and systemic change. Cely-Rae believes it is vital for Indigenous voices to be heard, and for Indigenous people to be welcomed into spaces like law, where representation remains disproportionately low. Her experiences fuel her goal of building a career in family and/or criminal law that centres Indigenous perspectives and supports families through trauma-informed, culturally grounded advocacy. Rooted in her Syilx identity, she strives to create space for others to walk beside her, ensuring the next generation of Indigenous legal professionals feels seen, valued and empowered to lead.

Jessana Jones - Co-President

Jessanna is a proud Métis woman, mother, and third-year student at TRU Law. She holds a BA from UBC Okanagan, majoring in Indigenous Studies with a minor in Psychology, and took part in its Indigenous Research Mentorship Program. Her professional background in mental health and programming includes supporting youth, students, and Indigenous communities.

Her interests span corporate litigation, Aboriginal and Indigenous law, family law, and dispute resolution. Her counselling background and two summers in private practice shape her approach to advocacy and negotiation: listening carefully, understanding competing interests, and working toward meaningful resolutions. She is passionate about amplifying Indigenous voices and advancing economic reconciliation and self-determination.

As Co-President, she works to widen access to mentorship and professional opportunities, build bridges across the student body, and support the next generation of Indigenous legal leaders.

Melanie Minnabarriet - Vice President

Melanie is a Secwepemc and Nlakapmux woman from the Bonaparte First Nation. She has previously worked in natural resources, specifically archeology, where she learned about Indigenous Title and Rights, Cultural Heritage, and community impact of collaboration. Her pathway to law has been deeply impacted by her life and work experience and she is interested in utilizing her education for further Indigenous and community advocacy.

Melanie spends her spare time hiking with her ridgeback, Stella, and spending time with her husband Garrett. She enjoys traditional food gathering, like fishing and hunting, and is grateful for the familial knowledge that has been passed down about preservation techniques. As the vice-president of ILSA, Melanie is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices in TRU Law as well as increasing Indigenous students through local recruitment.