During the 2018-2019 academic year, a beadwork project was spearheaded by Danielle Lussier, who was the Indigenous Learner Advocate at the time. The beadwork project was focused on creating, designing, and beading stoles for the Indigenous graduates when they walked across the stage at the convocation ceremony. Through this beadwork project Àbimì was born.
Kelly Duquette, who graduated in 2019, was one of the community members consulted on the creation of Àbimì. For her “Àbimì is symbolic of our strength and determination as Indigenous learners.”
“Pinned to each of our graduation stoles, Àbimì continues to remind us of our resiliency, and the importance of community in our legal journeys.”
Kelly Duquette, JD ‘19
— Associate at Dentons LLP
Zac Thiffault, who graduated in 2020 from the Faculty of Law, recalls that “Àbimì came to the uOttawa Indigenous learner community during [his] second year. She became a visual reminder of the work all Indigenous Law Students and the Indigenous Law Students Association undertake every day to hold space within Canadian law schools.”
“It is beyond fitting that Àbimì’s name means “to defend”
Zac Thiffault, JD ‘20
— Legal Counsel at Métis Nation of Ontario
Her name means “to defend” in Anishinaabe. She carries the two-row wampum belt, also known as Guswenta, which passes through her eyes and heart. She holds a special place in the hearts of the community and sits over the heart of every Indigenous Learner as they walk across the stage with their peers.
For the Indigenous community at the Faculty, Àbimì is a sense of belonging. For Courtney Wilbur, “Àbimì embodies symbols of community, familiarity, safety, belonging, and resistance. What I cherish most about her is her ability to bring Indigenous learners together in a subtle yet wholesome way. She offers a gentle reminder in a colonial space that Indigenous learners are welcome and that our voices matter. She encourages us Indigenous learners to speak with love, humility, and truth and to walk with grace, honour, and gratitude as we enter into the Canadian legal profession."
“Àbimì has encouraged me to never lose sight of where I came from and to always act in a way that will continue to honour and respect my ancestors and community.”
Courtney Wilbur (Nän Chié á), JD ‘21
— Indigenous Alumni of the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law (Common Law Program)
Àbimì is present with the Indigenous learners from the moment they enter the law school, to the moment they graduate. She continues on with them as a constant reminder of the responsibilities the recipient carries.
Abby Green, JD ‘22 remembers when she first became aware of this meaningful symbol. “I met Àbimì in 2019, during my first year of law school. From the very first day, she has had a profound impact on my life. Sitting in our weekly beading circles, she taught me the importance of tacking down each bead as I prepared her pins and patches for Indigenous learners. Several years later, she accompanied me across the stage as I received my diploma alongside my fellow graduates.”
“Now, Àbimì rests in my office, serving as a visual reminder of our responsibilities as people and as lawyers.”
Abby Green, JD ‘22
— 2025-26 Supreme Court of Canada Law Clerk
Since its inception, the weekly drop-in community Beading Circle has been led by Tasha Simon, the Indigenous Program Specialist. The sessions are open to everyone in the Faculty to come together and to be in community, learn new beading techniques and nurture relationships. It is during these sessions that the community engages on the design of the stoles for the Indigenous Learners graduating that year.
Simon, who is also a JD graduate from 2020, remembers what it meant to her to attend and be part of beading circle during her law school journey. “It built a sense of community that I did not have or see during my first year of law school, and it is that community that got me through to graduation.”
“It is an honour to be able to continue carrying on this tradition of community-building for all in the Faculty.”
Tasha Simon, JD ‘20
— Indigenous Program Specialist, Common Law Section
Carrying on this tradition includes the honour of beading for future Indigenous change-makers and trailblazers, as the impact of uOttawa’s Indigenous graduates is far-reaching. For instance, the Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin, Supreme Court of Canada Judge, was gifted a beaded stole when she graduated from uOttawa with a PhD-Law in 2022. Justice O’Bonsawin wears Àbimì with honor. “I am very humbled and honored to have received my beaded stole with Àbimì. She represents my learning journey as an Indigenous woman and a Franco-Ontarian from my start at Laurentian University to the Supreme Court of Canada.”
“I wear her proudly to ceremonies and other events and share her significance with others. She reminds me of who I am and where I come from.”
Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, PhD ‘22
— Judge, Supreme Court Canada
In keeping with tradition, each Indigenous graduate is gifted a unique and personalized, beaded stole at Convocation. Àbimì is the unifying feature of all the beaded stoles, and she sits in the same place, connecting to the learner’s hearts, connecting them to one another and connecting them to our Faculty.
Prior to gifting the beaded stoles, a smudging ceremony was held, in the presence of the Indigenous graduates, their families and loved ones. This sacred ritual, led by Tasha Simon, served to purify and bless the stoles, enveloping them with positive energy and the spirit of unity. The ceremony underscored the deep respect for, and commitment to, Indigenous traditions that the Faculty upholds, celebrating the achievements of its Indigenous learners in a profoundly meaningful way.