Ontario Law Foundation: Kerrie Blaise Wins 2026 Guthrie Award

• Kerrie Blaise has been awarded the 2026 Guthrie Award for her work as a public-interest environmental lawyer.
• Blaise founded LAND, an environmental law nonprofit offering pro bono community-based intersectional legal services in northern Ontario.
• She has acted as counsel for First Nations in landmark cases involving Indigenous rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"Our lives are increasingly affected by climate change and environmental injustice. Kerrie has carved a new path for environmental legal protections and Indigenous rights, giving voice to the people most affected by, yet historically excluded from, environmental policy and legal decision-making," said Gerald Chan, chair of the Law Foundation of Ontario's board.

Kerrie Blaise has been recognized as one of the few public-interest environmental lawyers serving Indigenous Nations, grassroots community leaders, and nonprofit organizations in northern Ontario. Her work has focused on environmental justice and Indigenous rights, often taking on landmark cases involving the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. One notable example is her contribution to efforts to protect the Ring of Fire in Treaty 9 territory. Blaise's dedication to these causes has earned her a reputation as a champion for access to justice.

In 2023, Blaise launched LAND, an environmental law nonprofit that offers pro bono community-based intersectional legal services on environmental and Indigenous law matters. This innovative approach has made LAND the first of its kind in northern Ontario, providing strategic advocacy and litigation support to communities affected by environmental issues. The nonprofit also provides mentorship opportunities and public legal education programs, further solidifying its commitment to empowering marginalized voices.

Blaise's achievements extend far beyond her work with LAND. She has acted as counsel for First Nations in high-profile cases involving Indigenous rights, and has appeared before various courts and tribunals on matters related to public interest environment, resource extraction, and energy. Her involvement in the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Domestic Law and Policy Stream further underscores her dedication to finding solutions that balance environmental protection with Indigenous self-determination.

Lawyers advising clients on environmental projects in northern Ontario should be aware of the work of Kerrie Blaise and her nonprofit LAND, which offers pro bono community-based intersectional legal services on environmental and Indigenous law matters.

Source: Original reporting via Ontario Law Foundation