Cheryl Simon

Cheryl Simon is Mi’kmaq from Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge in Native American Studies in 2000. Upon completion of her degree, Cheryl moved home to PEI to live with her grandmother and work as Director of Administration for Abegweit First Nation.  During her three years with the band, Cheryl helped negotiate various government and private sector agreements, respond to government initiatives and oversaw a referendum for the band’s membership and election codes.  While living in her community, Cheryl began learning Mi’kmaq, researching traditional beading patterns and tutoring youth.

After working with the complex legal issues facing First Nations, Cheryl headed off to the University of Victoria law school. She was fortunate to participate in the co-op program and had work terms in Nunavut, Vancouver and Charlottetown.  Cheryl spent her last term of law school at the Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand where she studied Maori land law and comparative Indigenous studies.  She and her partner spent a year travelling in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and China, where they participated as much as possible in Aboriginal tourism and witnessed self-governance struggles.

Once back in Canada, Cheryl moved to the east coast to practice Aboriginal and Business law with a law firm in Halifax. Cheryl continues to learn her language and when called to the Bar, she swore her oath in both Mi’kmaq and English. Cheryl and her husband Derek currently live in Halifax and she is happy to be back in Mi’kmaq territory and close to her family. She recently learned to do quillwork and is always on the lookout for porcupines.