Jessica Buffalo

Jessica is from Samson Cree Nation/Nipisikohpahk, and her Cree/nehiyawak name is Maskwa Iskwêw, meaning Bear Woman. Before law school, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Simon Fraser University, majoring in political science. Jessica obtained her Juris Doctor from Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC in 2016 and was called to the Alberta Bar in 2017 after completing her articles at Calgary Legal Guidance.

Following her articling term, Jessica served as the temporary Homeless Outreach Lawyer at Calgary Legal Guidance until the end of 2017. She then entered private practice, focusing on criminal defence for Indigenous and marginalized people. During this time, Jessica played a pivotal role in establishing the Calgary Indigenous Court and contributed to the development of the Edmonton Indigenous Court through judicial education initiatives.

In 2019, Jessica joined Legal Aid Alberta as Duty Counsel for adult and youth criminal, and dedicated duty counsel for the Calgary Indigenous Court, Siksika Adult and Youth Criminal Court, and Tsuu’tina Adult and Youth Criminal Court. She also appeared regularly in first appearance Court, bail Court, domestic violence Court, and various circuit Court locations around Calgary and Edmonton.

In 2022, Jessica moved to the Law Society of Alberta as the first Indigenous Initiatives Counsel. In this role, she led initiatives aimed at advancing Reconciliation, particularly focusing on ensuring Call to Action 27 is adhered to. Jessica has been actively involved in numerous committees and boards in Alberta, including the Access to Justice Committee through the Court of Justice of Alberta, the Wîyasôw Iskweêw - Restorative Justice Committee, the Alberta Court’s Gladue Report Committee, and the Reconciliation Discernment Circle.

Jessica has also been a guest lecturer at both the University of Calgary School of Law and the University of Alberta’s Law School. Throughout her career, she has presented at many conferences, panels, and webinars on building competencies in working with Indigenous peoples within the justice system. Additionally, Jessica has developed intercultural competency courses for both Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta.
 

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