Brenda L. Gunn is a fellow with CIGI’s International Law Research Program (ILRP). In this role, Brenda will explore comparative approaches and best practices for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) internationally. Her work at CIGI will involve engaging indigenous peoples on the topic through workshops, conferences and other fora.
Brenda is also an associate professor in the Robson Hall Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, where she teaches constitutional law, international law and advocacy for the rights of indigenous peoples in international law. Prior to joining the University of Manitoba, Brenda worked at a community legal clinic in Rabinal, Guatemala, on a case of genocide submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Brenda has also worked with First Nations on Aboriginal and treaty rights issues in Manitoba and provided technical assistance to the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the analysis and drafting of the report summarizing the responses to a survey on implementing UNDRIP. A proud Metis woman, Brenda is recognized for developing the key handbook in Canada on understanding and implementing UNDRIP.
Brenda has a B.A. from the University of Manitoba and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. She completed her LL.M. in indigenous peoples law and policy at the University of Arizona and was called to the Bars of Ontario and Manitoba.