A DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree “most likely” has Indigenous heritage.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond previously served as B.C.’s representative for children and youth, and was well known as a lawyer on Indigenous rights.
The law society says in a report that an independent geneticist found Turpel-Lafond most likely has very recent ancestors with substantial Indigenous DNA.
Turpel-Lafond says she never should have had to prove her Indigenous identity and the allegations have done tremendous harm to her and her family.
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