Blind lawyer from White Bear First Nations hopes to inspire others

There’s no such thing as impossible for Connor Standingready, the first lawyer from White Bear First Nations.

Standingready was called to the bar on June 7, and not only has he achieved a major milestone in his Indigenous community, but did it without the benefits of full eyesight.

He said it’s a surreal feeling to have achieved a goal that took him 10 years.

“If my story can motivate or inspire somebody, then that’s a great feeling,” he said.

Standingready said he’s particularly interested in pursuing his legal career in family, criminal or Indigenous law.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I’m ready to attack any area of law that’s put in front of me,” he said.

Standingready studied at both the University of Saskatchewan College of Law and University of Regina. In 2021, he articled at a non-profit law firm, Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City Inc.

He said technology such as a screen reader, which acts as a text-to-speech device, helped make it possible for him to complete his education and training while partially sighted.

“I’m just so grateful that I was born in a time where I’m able to do this, and pursue my goals and my dreams,” he said.

Not only was Standingready’s dream to pursue a career in law, but he said it was also his grandmother’s dream to have a lawyer in the family.

“She always recognized that it was important, and I always wanted to fulfill that dream,” Standingready said.

He said he hopes he can set an example for others who want to achieve their goals.

“If you have the desire and it’s backed by faith, there’s no such thing as impossible,” he said.