Deanne Kasokeo, B.A., LL.B.

Founder & Director, Sacred Circle Justice Services

Deanne Kasokeo is a First Nations lawyer, lawmaker and advocate with approximately 17 years of legal experience. A member of Poundmaker Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory, Deanne brings together her professional legal experience and her understanding of First Nations inherent and Treaty rights to support Nations in reclaiming and exercising their own jurisdiction.

Deanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Saskatchewan. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with First Nations individuals, families, leadership and organizations in areas including First Nations lawmaking, governance, child and family services, justice, housing, estates, criminal law and dispute resolution.

As Founder and Director of Sacred Circle Justice Services, Deanne’s work focuses on helping First Nations move from the recognition of inherent and Treaty jurisdiction to its practical exercise. She assists Nations with developing their own laws, policies, governance structures and justice processes based upon the unique values, traditions, priorities and needs of their people.

Her work includes the development of First Nations Child and Family Services Laws grounded in inherent and Treaty jurisdiction, Nation-specific housing policies, governance documents, community engagement processes, restorative justice initiatives, peacemaking Circles and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Deanne believes First Nations lawmaking must begin with the Nation itself. Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, community members and leadership have an essential role in identifying the principles, teachings, responsibilities and legal traditions that should guide their laws.

Through Sacred Circle Justice Services, Deanne’s objective is not simply to draft documents, but to help First Nations build the laws, institutions, processes and community capacity necessary to exercise jurisdiction for generations to come.

We do not begin by asking how a First Nation can fit within an existing federal or provincial system.

We begin by asking: What authority does the Nation already possess, what are its laws and responsibilities, and what institutions are required to exercise that jurisdiction?