Estella (she/her/hers) is a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law. Her work at West Coast focuses on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and advancing the recognition and application of Indigenous law.
Estella comes from the Hesquiaht First Nation and belongs to the House of Kinquashtacumlth. She carries the name ḥin̓ačačišt, which was given to her when she served as an elected leader for her Nation back in 2010. The name is roughly translated into English as, glimmering water. She was raised in her home territories and from a young age was taught about what it means to belong to a place, along with the corresponding responsibilities associated with that belonging.
Estella joins West Coast having practiced Aboriginal law over the past 5-7 years, working with First Nations across Canada to protect and advance their Aboriginal rights. She has represented First Nations at most levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has gained experience on a broad range of Aboriginal law and governance matters.
Outside of her practice, Estella likes to spend time on the land and water with her daughter Huukusta and husband Shawn.
Estella is based in Lax Kw’alaams in Tsym'sen Territories.