Rose Boyko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rose Boyko
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| Born | 1950 (age 74–75) |
| Education | Queen's University |
| Occupation | lawyer, judge |
Rose Toodick Boyko is a Canadian First Nations lawyer and a retired judge. She made history as the first Indigenous woman to become a superior court judge in Canada. Her mother was from the Sekani people, and her father was Ukrainian. Rose is a member of the McLeod Lake Indian Band.
Early Life and Family
Rose Boyko was born in 1950. She grew up in northern British Columbia. Her early memories are of life on a trapline near Finlay Forks. A trapline is an area where people hunt and trap animals for their fur.
In 1967, the W. A. C. Bennett Dam was built. This dam caused her family's trapline to be flooded. This event changed their way of life.
From Nurse to Lawyer
Rose first chose a career in nursing. She earned her nursing diploma in 1972 from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. She worked as a nurse in remote Cree communities. These communities are located in the James Bay area. Later, she worked as a critical care nurse in Kingston, Ontario.
After some time, Rose decided to change her focus to law. She studied law at Queen's University. She earned her law degree in 1980.
A Judge's Journey
Rose became a lawyer in Ontario in 1982. She also became a lawyer in Saskatchewan in 1988. She started her legal career working for the Department of Justice. This department helps the government with legal matters. She worked in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
From 1989 to 1991, she worked with the Quebec Ministry of Justice. Later, she joined the Department of Indian Affairs in Ottawa. In 1994, Rose Boyko was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court. This made her a judge. She retired from the court in 2008.
Awards and Recognition
Rose Boyko has received many honors for her work.
- In 1997, Queen's University gave her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This is a special award for her achievements.
- In 1999, she received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. This award celebrates the accomplishments of Indigenous people. She won in the Law and Justice category.
- In 2008, she was chosen to be part of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. This is a court that hears appeals from staff members of the United Nations.
- In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This medal honored her contributions to Canada.
