PERRIE LAW - About

At Perrie Law, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible results while putting our clients at the center of everything we do. Serving communities across Nunavut and Manitoba, we provide respectful, culturally informed legal services that honour the diverse experiences of our clients.

We recognize the unique realities faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada, and our team, which is made up of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals, is committed to listening to your story, seeing you as a whole person, and standing beside you through every step of your legal journey.

Our Goals

Defend your Rights

Explore every angle of your legal matter and relentlessly pursue the best outcome for your situation.

Enhance Access to Justice

Ensure you have support to navigate the colonial justice system and are treated with fairness and respect.

Support Community-Led Solutions

Amplify community voices to promote self-determination in resolving legal matters.

Integrate Cultural Knowledge

Bridge gaps between Indigenous traditions and Western legal systems by incorporating Indigenous knowledge into colonial legal practice when appropriate.

Advocate for Marginalized Populations

Provide tailored legal support for underserved groups facing systemic and cross-jurisdictional legal challenges.

Behind Perrie Law

Victoria Perrie Founder

Victoria Perrie (she/her) is a 2S Métis-Cree lawyer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an award given to those who "have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada."

After completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Manitoba in 2018, Victoria was called to the New Brunswick and Nunavut Bars in 2019, and to the Manitoba Bar in 2020. She graduated with a double major in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Manitoba before completing the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan. She is presently working towards her LLM at York University's Osgoode Hall.

Beyond her legal accomplishments, Victoria actively contributes to her community. She serves as a Director of the Nunavut Law Foundation, the Manitoba Association of Playwrights, and as Co-Secretary to the Indigenous Bar Association.

Victoria's multifaceted experiences, spanning international law reviews to grassroots art initiatives and legal education, encapsulate her unwavering commitment to effecting transformative change for Indigenous communities. This dedication shines through her staunch advocacy for human rights and equitable pursuit for access to justice.

Committed to her principles, Victoria frequently engages in community-focused pro bono work, reinforcing her mission to foster empowered and flourishing Indigenous communities.

Victoria Perrie, Indigenous Lawyer in Manitoba and Nunavut

Preferred Practice Areas

- Criminal Defence
- Wills and Estates
- Police Misconduct
- Negotiations

Carlie Kane Associate

Carlie Kane (she/her) is a proud member of Obishikokaang, also known as Lac Seul First Nation, on Treaty 3 territory in Northwestern Ontario. Her deep connection to community is rooted through her grandmother, Elizabeth Southwind—a respected matriarch and language speaker. Raised in the West End of Winnipeg, Carlie’s lived experience with intergenerational trauma has strengthened her commitment to break cycles of harm and reclaim Indigenous identity through healing, education, and legal advocacy.

Carlie holds an Advanced Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies and a Juris Doctor (Law) degree from the University of Manitoba. Her legal journey was not linear—from leaving university with low grades and the mindset of never returning, to obtaining a Legal Administrative Assistant diploma, then eventually returning to university and evolving into a passionate researcher, community advocate, all with the goal of becoming a future Indigenous rights lawyer.

Carlie’s most recent legal experience includes work with First Peoples Law and Saunders DeLaronde Law, where she supported Indigenous governance, law development, and community-based and Indigenous specific legal research. Carlie has also had the opportunity to publish articles with the Centre for Human Rights Research, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Today, she proudly sits on the Board for the North End Women's Centre.

Outside the legal profession, Carlie is the Social Media Manager for Full Circle for Indigenous Education, where she works alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators in Manitoba advocating and promoting Indigenous Education. Carlie currently sits and serves as a board member on both the Manitoba Hydro Accountability Board and Kahkakiw Kito Clinic.

Rooted in the strength of her family, community, and identity, Carlie transforms intergenerational trauma into purpose. Guided by the teachings of her ancestors and grounded in culture, ceremony, and intention, she carries the legacy of her family—especially through her connection to R v Southwind, a landmark Supreme Court case affirming Canada’s fiduciary duty to Lac Seul First Nation. Carlie is deeply committed to advancing Indigenous empowerment and resurgence through the transformative potential of law.

Preferred Areas of Practice

- Wills and Estates
- Corporate Law
- Real Estate
- Non-Contested Divorce
- Indigenous Governance
- Contracts
- Employment Law

Contact: carlie@perrie-law.com

Vanessa Friesen Associate

Vanessa Friesen (she/her) is a lawyer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While Vanessa is a white settler Canadian, she was raised to respect all people of all backgrounds and is pleased to have the opportunity to learn about the various Indigenous peoples and cultures in Canada.

Before she became a lawyer, Vanessa completed a Bachelor of Music at Canadian Mennonite University and a Juris Doctor at the University of Manitoba. Vanessa earned her way through university by spending five summers tree planting in BC and Alberta in between school years. Vanessa completed her articles in the Okanagan region of BC, then promptly moved back to her hometown of Winnipeg. Vanessa was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 2020.

Vanessa’s experience as a lawyer includes employment, landlord-tenant, and wills and estates law. Vanessa prefers to assist clients without going to Court, for example through negotiation and mediation. Vanessa prefers resolving disputes through negotiation and mediation as these means are often less stressful, less expensive, and much faster than going to Court. Vanessa is also glad to assist clients by drafting employment contracts and policies, reviewing severance packages, drafting wills, and assisting clients with administering estates.

In her personal life, Vanessa spends her time raising her young family and enjoying music, food, and the outdoors. Vanessa sings in a choir, enjoys trying new recipes, and cycles to work almost year round.

Preferred Practice Areas

- Employment
- Wills and Estates
- Landlord-Tenant

Contact: vanessa@perrie-law.com

Georgia DeFehr Associate

Georgia DeFehr (she/her) is a white settler criminal defence lawyer living on Treaty One Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Georgia received her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from the McGill Faculty of Law in Montreal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg (2020 Chancellor’s Gold Medalist for the Highest Standing in Honours Arts) with a double-major in Honours Sociology and Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications.

Georgia is driven by the conviction that rigorous legal representation is crucial for anyone facing the threat of imprisonment and power of the state. Interrogating power relations has been a theme throughout her studies and legal experience, from her prize-winning investigative journalism coursework to her research on state repression of human rights as an intern at the Centre for Law and Democracy in Halifax.

Georgia completed her articles with the criminal defence firm, Campbell Gunn Seib Jones. Before articling, she worked as a student-at-law for two Montreal-based immigration and refugee lawyers, in addition to volunteering as a caseworker at the Concordia Student Union Legal Information Clinic. Georgia has served as an editor for the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Contours, a McGill law journal that explores intersections between law and gender.

Georgia accepts Legal Aid certificates in Manitoba and Nunavut as part of her practice.

Preferred Practice Areas

Criminal Defence

Contact: georgia@perrie-law.com

Sloan Martens Operations & Client Care

Sloan Martens (they/them) is a queer white settler living in Treaty 7 land in Mohkinstsis, Alberta.

Sloan keeps Perrie Law running smoothly so our lawyers can focus on advocacy for clients across Nunavut and Manitoba. Sloan’s approach reflects our firm’s commitment to respectful, culturally informed, client-centred service.

Sloan designs and maintains the systems that move cases forward including streamlining intake, organizing files, coordinating calendars and court dates, and keeping client communication clear and timely. With a detail-driven, solutions-first mindset, Sloan supports our team from first contact to file completion, ensuring clients feel informed and supported at every step.

Sloan’s steady presence and practical leadership help us deliver on our promise: rigorous representation grounded in care, clarity, and respect.

Areas of Focus

Client intake and file opening/closing
Court and meeting scheduling; deadline tracking
Document preparation and firm template development
Billing support
Office operations and project coordination.

Contact: admin@perrie-law.com

Kerri Potter Office Manager

Kerri Potter (She/Her) is the Office Manager at Perrie Law and the first welcoming face clients meet when they connect with our office. With a background in customer service and theatre administration, she brings many years of experience creating warm, professional, and culturally safe spaces.

A graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Acting Honours program, Kerri has worked extensively in the Winnipeg theatre community, where she collaborated with Indigenous artists, supported the Indigenous Theatre for Youth program at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and partnered with knowledge and language keepers on educational resources.

At Perrie Law, Kerri ensures the office runs smoothly and that every client feels supported from their very first call. She is the smiling face when you walk in our front door at our Winnipeg office and is grateful to be part of a team dedicated to serving communities across Nunavut and Manitoba.

Contact: office@perrie-law.com

Tess Ray Houston Communications Lead

Tess Ray Houston (they/she) is a Red River Métis Music, Communications and Creative Professional based in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB). As Communications Lead at Perrie Law, Tess specializes in developing clear, accessible, and impactful messaging that connects communities with legal services and advocacy rooted in empowerment, clarity, and collaboration.

With a decade of experience across communications, arts, and media, Tess brings a multidisciplinary lens to their work — blending strategic thinking with a strong sense of storytelling and design. In addition to Perrie Law, Tess founded Midnight Bannock, an artist management and creative services company, where they guided artists through branding, public communications, and long-term career development. They also gained experience supporting musicians and organizations in both non-profit and contract roles, sharpening their communications and management skills through mentorship with industry leaders.

Tess’s background in film, visual arts, and performance deepens their approach to communication, offering a unique ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and compelling stories. Their work in national media productions, fashion, and visual arts has strengthened their eye for detail and commitment to representing diverse voices with authenticity and care.

At Perrie Law, Tess applies this breadth of experience to lead communications strategy, ensuring the firm’s messages reflect its values of advocacy, accessibility, and community connection.

For interviews, speaking opportunities, or media requests, please contact: media@perrie-law.com

Work With Us

Our work is grounded in relationships—among our team, with our clients, and with the land and people we serve.

If you carry a strong sense of responsibility, a desire to learn, and act with humility, we’d love to hear from you.

To learn more about career opportunities with Perrie Law or to share your CV, please contact Sloan Martens, Administrator, at admin@perrie-law.com.

Job Title: Family Lawyer with Practice in Nunavut

Location: Winnipeg/Nunavut/Virtual

Overview:

Perrie Law is a legal practice focused on criminal defence, police misconduct, and wills and estates that is looking to expand their offerings to include family law and/or child protection. We are committed to serving Nunavummiut in Nunavut and Manitoba and providing the services our clients need. Perrie Law’s primary focus is on delivering results paired with an unwavering dedication to a client-centred approach. Providing Indigenous representation for Indigenous accused across Manitoba and Nunavut, we deeply recognize and understand the unique lived realities of Indigenous people in Canada.

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized individual to join our practice based in Winnipeg who is interested in developing a practice in Nunavut. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the development of Perrie Law’s family law offerings in Nunavut. The role includes a mix of direct client representation, document drafting, and potential court appearances (in person and virtual), with the support of an experienced community-focused team.

Responsibilities:

Provide legal advice to clients
Conduct legal research as needed
Draft and review legal documents
Stay updated with continuing education, and changes in law and regulations that may affect clients’ interests
Maintain accurate and organized filing systems (CosmoLex)
Manage case load, inquiries and files in a prompt manner

Qualifications:

● Must be called or willing to be called to the Nunavut Bar

● Aware of or willingness to become aware of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit culture

● Strong writing and communication skills

● Excellent organizational and time management skills

● Ability to work independently and as part of a team

● Demonstrated ability to work independently without supervision

● Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

● Interest in northern legal issues, community development, and Indigenous cultures

● LLB, JD, or equivalent law degree

● Experience working with Indigenous communities is an asset

● Experience working with an interpreter and clients with limited access to English is an asset

● Experience working in remote or isolated communities and the ability to adapt to dynamic circumstances is an asset

● Prior experience in family law in any jurisdiction in Canada

Details

● Compensation is based on a competitive 70/30 split model depending on experience and file origination

● Work hours are flexible

● Lawyers are encouraged to work wherever and whenever works best for them and their practice

● Head office is located in Winnipeg with additional office to be opened in Rankin Inlet

● Applications considered on a rolling basis until position has been filled

We strongly encourage applications from those in the Indigenous and 2S communities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement:

At Perrie Law, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with lived experience and diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Peoples, Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities, and individuals experiencing economic hardship. We value the unique perspective and experiences that each person can bring to our firm.

Applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their application if they belong to any of these groups. Perrie Law is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the recruitment process and throughout their employment. If you require accommodations, please contact us, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

How To Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Sloan Martens at admin@perrie-law.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only individuals under consideration will be contacted.

Download PDF of Posting

What People Are Saying

Shout out to the awesome Victoria Perrie, who was a guest speaker at our UVic Family Law class. We agree. All law students would benefit from your talk, Victoria. Way to be the change. To sum it up, here’s a comment from a student:

- Michelle Kinney Law

“The goal reconciliation then, is to find a way to honour both the First Nations and Canada at the same time. This in itself is an anti-colonial movement, and I learned a lot and found a lot of beauty in listening to Victoria discuss some of the issues that arise while trying to get there. Her points about the accessibility (and acceptance) of language has stuck with me through the remainder of the semester. I have made a conscious effort to use more “plain language” when discussing legal topics with those not in the profession, I have more thoughtfully considered how body language differs throughout cultures, I have paid more attention to the way oral tradition has affected the current legal system.Victoria’s talk inspired the way I have approached my own legal practice. It changed the way I choose to show up for others, and changed the way I plan to practice the law. Through her one talk she, without knowing, influenced someone in the next generation of lawyers, effectively influencing the future of law in a small way. I think that is pretty notable.”

- Student, University of Victoria

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