Shayla has degrees in both Canadian Common Law (JD) and Indigenous Legal Orders (JID) through the University of Victoria, which is the first degree program of its kind in the world. Throughout her law school career, she has worked with Tsawwassen First Nation’s in-house legal counsel and has co-authored a discussion paper with Dr. John Borrows in partnership with the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) and Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative (RRII) which explored Indigenous perspectives of fiduciary duty.

Shayla enjoyed participating in student politics and advocacy while in school and held executive positions on the UVIC Law Students’ Society (LSS) for two years. She also held executive positions on the UVIC Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) for three years and served as Co-President in her third year. In November 2021, Shayla was a panelist with three other law students from across the country at the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice Annual Conference titled “Indigenous Peoples and the Law”.

Shayla has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sport, Health, and Physical Education from Vancouver Island University, through which she developed a passion for health and wellness. She enjoys hiking and spin, as well as experimental cooking and fantasy novels.