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History
Throughout her life she volunteered her legal knowledge and worked on behalf of various Aboriginal, political and women’s groups. As the legal convenor of the Calgary branch of the Local Council of Women, she fought for public washrooms for women, public education for disabled children, the legalization of skimmed milk for poor mothers, and over saw the passing of the Dower Act, which prevented the disposition of the marital home without a wife’s consent.
In 1946 she became the unpaid legal advisor for the Indian Association of Alberta. In that capacity until 1962 when she resigned, she fought along side John Laurie for the treaty and voting rights for the Indigenous peoples in Canada. She also was key in the famous Hobbema case, which was precipitated by a federal government desire to depopulate the reserves. Upon her 1957 success in that case the Maskiwacis Cree gave her the title of Queen Morning Star. After that she successfully and dramatically worked with Howard Beebe, and Chief Johnny Samson, to have section 112 from the Indian Act repealed. When that happened in 1960 all Aboriginal people in Canada could vote without losing their treaty rights.
She was also instrumental in a famous fight with the CPR in ensuring the preservation of Prince’s Island Park in Calgary.