Garfield Staats

I am Haudenosaunee Mohawk and a proud member of Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario. Although I have spent most of my life living in British Columbia, I have maintained a strong connection to my community through my familia ties. I moved to Kamloops in 2023 and immediately fell in love with the city. As someone living within Secwepemcúlucw, I remain a humble and respectful guest.

I spent most of my childhood growing up in Vancouver before moving to Prince George at the age of 19. While living there, I worked as a helicopter pilot for several years before deciding to return to school at the University of Northern British Columbia, where I earned a degree in Global and International Studies.

Becoming a lawyer had always been a goal of mine, and in 2022 I was accepted into Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law as part of the Class of 2026. During law school, I also served as President of the Indigenous Law Students’ Association.

As I begin my articles, I am interested in exploring Indigenous Law and Governance; Business, Corporate, & Commercial Law; Estate Planning and Wills; Probate & Estates Dispute Resolution; and whatever opportunity comes my way.

Qualifications

·  Commercial Pilots License, Tech Helicopters Ltd., 2012

·  BA Global International Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, 2021

·  JD, Thompson Rivers University, 2026