Chanel Carlson

Chanel Carlson is an associate at OKT. She is of Red River Métis and European descent, born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, situated on Treaty 1 territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation.

Chanel has experience in a range of legal settings, with a strong emphasis on Aboriginal law. Her current practice is primarily focused on governance and child and family matters, which includes supporting First Nations in exercising their inherent jurisdiction over child and family services through the development of child and family laws. Chanel also handles matters involving litigation, class actions, employment law, consultations, negotiations and public inquiries.

Chanel completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba, where she received a B.A. in Criminology before going on to obtain a J.D. from the University of Ottawa. During her time in Ottawa, she was a member of the Indigenous Law Students Governance – a collective of Indigenous law students which successfully evolved from a student “club” to an Indigenous self-governing body. At this time, Chanel also represented the University of Ottawa at the Kawaskimhon Moot and participated in Osgoode Hall’s Intensive Program in Indigenous Lands, Resources & Governments.

After law school, she articled at a large firm in Winnipeg where she gained experience working in many areas of law including corporate, commercial, administrative, municipal, regulatory, intellectual property, construction and wills & estates.

Chanel is called to the bar in Manitoba and Ontario.