Dr. Brenda Gunn

Professor

Biography

Brenda L. Gunn is a Professor at Robson Hall Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. She has a B.A. from the University of Manitoba and a J.D. from the University of Toronto, along with an LL.M. in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy from the University of Arizona. She has practiced law with the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, now Ecojustice Canada, and has experience working on Aboriginal treaty rights issues in Manitoba. As a proud Red River Métis woman and citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation, she is dedicated to advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples, focusing on the recognition of their inherent rights through their own legal traditions. Her research promotes alignment of international law regarding Indigenous peoples' rights with domestic law, and she is actively involved in the global Indigenous peoples' movement, participating in various international meetings. She has authored a handbook on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which serves as a vital resource in Canada and internationally, and has delivered workshops on this subject. Brenda's engagement in community legal work includes contributions to understanding and implementing Indigenous rights through education and advocacy.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor
2015-01-01 — Present

Robson Hall Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Teaching and research in Indigenous Law and related topics.

Expert Member
2026-01-01 — 2028-12-31

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues •

Contributing to discussions and development of initiatives related to Indigenous rights.

Awards

#
University of Manitoba Annual Outreach Award
#2015
University of Manitoba Merit Award