Josephine is from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and grew up in Leeds before moving to Saskatchewan, Canada in 2008. She articled at Semaganis Worme Legal under Donald E. Worme, Q.C., IPC and was mentored by both Mr. Worme and Helen Semaganis, Q.C., IPC, as well as their esteemed colleagues, including members of the Indigenous Bar Association, of which she is an honourary non- Indigenous member. Josephine is a member of the Saskatchewan and Ontario Bar.
Trained by Indigenous lawyers, Josephine has focused her career on serving First Nations, First Nation organizations and Indigenous individuals. She gained significant trial experience serving Indigenous criminal defendants in the Saskatchewan courts and has been involved in inquests and national inquiries seeking justice for Indigenous clients. After moving to Ontario, Josephine acted as co-counsel for two parties with standing at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
She has testified at the Senate on behalf of the Indigenous Bar Association with regard to the introduction of the Cannabis Act and Criminal Code amendments. Josephine has worked as counsel for First Nations in regards to child welfare, both as counsel for First Nation child welfare organizations, and as counsel for First Nations with standing to participate in child welfare matters, with a primary focus on Indigenous jurisdiction and culturally appropriate services and treatment before and under the law.
Under the mentorship of Delia Opekokew, LL.D., IPC, a distinguished member of the Saskatchewan and Ontario Bar, Josephine works in the area of Specific Claims and has conducted extensive research into Crown obligations and fiduciary duties to uphold Treaty and inherent rights. Josephine is also engaged in providing legal research and position papers in support of a Treaty organization that is building capacity to realize its jurisdictional development and institutional goals.
As the Principal of J. de Whytell Law, Josephine works in association with Delia Opekokew, LL.D., IPC and alongside her associate, Tara Chandran. Josephine also works closely with historians and researchers, M. Sam Cronk of Inclusiv Inc. and Vanessa Lio of Lio Research and Archives Services who provide valuable archival research relating to First Nation Specific Claims.
