Red River Métis law student brings identity to Hockey Canada

June 24, 2026

Bréanne Dondo thrilled to represent Red River Métis on Hockey Canada's first Indigenous Advisory Circle

_{Bréanne Dondo recently completed her law degree at the University of Montréal.}

Bréanne Dondo was surprised to be chosen to sit on Hockey Canada's first Indigenous Advisory Circle - but perhaps she shouldn't have been. The only Red River Métis Citizen on the Advisory Circle, Dondo has been an advocate for Red River Métis perspectives in legal and institutional systems. She recently completed her law degree at the University of Montréal, where she played hockey for the Montréal Carabins, and served as the President of the Indigenous Law Committee. Dondo said the Advisory Circle role is a way for her to keep the sport in her life after hanging up her Carabins jersey.

"I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Circle and to have been chosen among amazing people who have different experiences [than] I do," she said. "Because hockey [has] been such a big part of my life and formed the person I am, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to also make a change in that environment."

The Indigenous Advisory Circle aims to combat racism and promote inclusion within hockey. Dondo said even though she is young, she has unique experiences to bring to the table.

"As Red River Métis, I think it's important for me to also have a voice for Métis people and be that person, say what I have to say about my experiences," she said. "I think that it's important to also hear that and to hear the differences between Indigenous peoples as well."

Prior to her five years with the Carabins, Dondo played for the Manitoba Female Hockey League with the Winnipeg Avros. With hockey playing a large role in her life over the past 20 years, the experience she brings to the Indigenous Advisory Circle goes back decades.

"I started playing hockey when I was about four years old. Honestly, I started because my older brother was playing, so I kind of just followed him with that," she said. "I kept on playing for a really long time after that, so I made it to the higher levels. I played for Team Manitoba, I played for the Indigenous Team Manitoba, and then I finished off my career playing at the University of Montréal on a hockey scholarship."

_{The Red River Métis Citizen played hockey for the Montréal Carabins from 2018-2023. Photo credit: James Hajjar}

Growing up in a family deeply connected to their French-speaking Red River Métis roots, the Citizen has always felt close to her heritage. Having studied French from Kindergarten to Grade 12, it was important for Dondo to attend a French-language university.

"When I saw that the University of Montréal was an all-French university that also had a hockey team, I was like, 'hey, why not give it a try? We'll never know.' So, I'm really glad that I took the [leap] and I tried it out," she said. "My French has improved, I've found, since I've gotten here."

During her degree in industrial relations, some employment and labour law classes piqued Dondo's interest.

"I wasn't really ready to work to start my career at that point when I finished my first degree," she said. "So, I applied for law."

Getting into a law school at the same university helped with the student's comfort level as she tried out different types of law to pursue.

"Sports law, with my background in hockey, I thought that would be really cool to try out. So, I'm still kind of exploring that," she said. "And then also Indigenous law is something that I took an interest to, particularly the Métis. It helped me understand kind of my Métis heritage and the laws surrounding it, and why we are who we are today and why we're allowed to identify as Métis."

I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Circle and to have been chosen among amazing people who have different experiences [than] I do... because hockey [has] been such a big part of my life and formed the person I am, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to also make a change in that environment. - Bréanne Dondo

Serving as president of the Indigenous Law Committee has allowed Dondo to represent her Red River Métis culture.

"We do events, especially with Indigenous lawyers or also cases that might touch Indigenous People," she said. "It's helped me also have a platform to be able to speak about my identity as well in a legal perspective."

Dondo said the Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) financial support throughout her degrees made her post-secondary experience possible.

"At first, I was kind of hesitant about moving away to go to university. But when I saw that MMF was there to help out and do what they can, I saw that it was a possibility," she said. "So, I gave it a try and I'm completing my second degree now, and I think without the financial support, I don't know if I would be allowing myself to keep going with my schooling. So, it's definitely allowed me to further my education."

The law student, who plans to take the bar exam in September, emphasizes the importance of uplifting Red River Métis voices - from the University of Montréal's Indigenous Law Committee to Hockey Canada's Indigenous Advisory Circle.

"It's important to have a Red River Métis voice, honestly, just to kind of speak about our history and speak about our reality, speak about who we are," she said. "I would just like to be a person that can answer questions and that people could come up to and not be afraid to ask their questions, because I think that helps with the understanding of who we are."

Active involvement in your Red River Métis Community starts at the grassroots level. Do you want to make your Red River Métis voice heard? To get involved with your Local, contact your Regional Office.

 

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