Leighanne maintains a broad corporate/commercial practice with a particular focus on Indigenous matters.
Leighanne Gardipy is Cree and was raised in Treaty 6 territory on the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ reserve.
Leighanne is a corporate/commercial lawyer with a strong focus on Indigenous matters. She has experience advising governments and organizations on Indigenous governance, corporate governance, banking and commercial lending, and regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining MLT Aikins, Leighanne led the legal and compliance functions for a federally-regulated bank and trust company.
Her experience includes serving as a legal adviser to the Saskatchewan provincial government, where she played a key role in the implementation of a co-ordination agreement under An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Leighanne also guided the development and enactment of core governance legislation for the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, successfully passing it through a community referendum.
- Member, Indigenous Bar Association (Present)
- Election appeal tribunal member, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation (2021)
- District Council #9 delegate, First Nations District, Affinity Credit Union (2014-2018)
- Selections committee student representative, University of Saskatchewan College of Law (2014)
- Director, Indigenous Bar Association (2011-2013)
- Speaker, BOCN Elders gathering (June 2024)
- Speaker, BOCN Women’s Day gala dinner (March 2024)
- Keynote, niya-acimowin empowerment conference (May 2023)
- Guest Speaker, University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business 2018 and 2019)
- Recipient, Award of Excellence, Canadian Bar Association – Saskatchewan Branch (2014)
- Recipient, DIVA Foundation Scholarship (2014)