Desneige Frandsen Recognized for Advancing Indigenous Youth Justice

Desneige Frandsen (pictured with fellow award recipients and Toronto Metropolitan University President Mohamed Lachemi) was honoured with the Isadore Sharp Outstanding Recent Graduate Award.

Level Justice is proud to highlight the incredible contributions of Desneige Frandsen, a Métis woman from Treaty 16 in Ontario and Indigenous Justice Program Manager at Level Justice. Recently recognized with the Isadore Sharp Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, Desneige's work exemplifies leadership, resilience, and a commitment to advancing access to justice.

As manager of the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP), Desneige leads transformative initiatives that engage First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth aged 9-18 across Canada. Through a unique blend of Canadian criminal justice education and Indigenous legal alternatives, the program celebrates Indigenous justice customs while building meaningful connections between youth and the legal system. Working alongside Elders and Knowledge Keepers, law students and the legal sector, Desneige helps create experiences like courthouse visits, mock trials, and mentorship opportunities that empower young people to develop confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Justice sector volunteers and facilitators involved in IYOP are also required to go through Cultural Humility and Empathy Training, offered by Desneige. This training enhances our understanding of past and current realities of Indigenous communities, overcoming systemic biases, and shifting from passive to active forms of reconciliation.

The impact of her leadership is clear in the program's remarkable outcomes. In the past year alone, IYOP has seen a 57% increase in youth reporting knowledge of Canadian legal systems, a 58% increase in youth knowing lawyers they can talk to in their community, and a 35% increase in youth interested in pursuing legal careers. These statistics represent real transformation in how Indigenous youth see themselves within the justice system.

In Desneige’s own words: "Through my work with Level, I've had lawyers express to me how our Cultural Humility and Empathy Training has changed their perspectives; I've had youth say that participating in the Indigenous youth program has allowed them to see the legal system and their power within it in a new light. Knowing that the work I do is impacting people in such important and meaningful ways is exactly why I do what I do."

Desneige's recognition shines a light on Level's vision of a justice system that treats everyone with dignity and an informed society where everyone can exercise their rights and has the opportunity to thrive. Programs like IYOP, which has reached over 766 youth across 50 communities, demonstrate what's possible when barriers to equity are removed and Indigenous youth are empowered to become leaders in their communities.

Watch Desneige's video to hear her share more about the impact of her work and why she's passionate about creating change.

Desneige's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in youth and fostering opportunities for leadership within the justice system. To learn more about Level Justice's work advancing human rights and equity, explore our programs and initiatives here: Programs