Sarah N. Kriekle is a child protection defense lawyer and an active member of the Legal Aid Alberta Child Welfare Roster. She accepts files through Legal Aid or on private retainer for families who are experiencing intervention or apprehension by Child and Family Services, or who are seeking private guardianship of a child in care.
Called in 2022, Sarah has already assisted numerous families with navigating the court process and the complexities of both the Child, youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families.
Sarah is an advocate for equity issues and has written or co-written articles on the topics of access to justice, progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the rights of youth aging out of government care, health data and OCAP principles, and child support in Indigenous families.
Since graduating with a JD from the University of Alberta in 2021, Sarah has volunteered on a case committee for the Women’s Legal Education Action Fund (LEAF), worked as a teaching assistant for the Launchpad into Law program for Indigenous Law students entering their first year of legal studies at various law schools, and co-developed a children’s resource for the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge to help Indigenous children in care understand their rights.
Prior to law school, Sarah earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from Athabasca University while working in a decade-long career in industrial sales, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
Sarah is of Metis and settler heritage and understands that many people have laws and protocols to follow in addition to Canadian laws and protocols. She approaches the law in a way that is mindful of the multiple sets of laws that exist on this land and is dedicated to maintaining a practice that incorporates such protocols into the legal process. If you require or would benefit from certain protocols (for example, smudging) please let Sarah know at the time of booking.
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Publications:
- Sarah N Kriekle, Nowhere to Turn: Alberta’s dismal history of support for youth in transition to adulthood - A.C. and J.F. v. Alberta, 2023 28 Appeal: Review of Current Law and Law Reform 1, - Read Publication
- Sarah Kriekle, “Gatekeeping Admissions: Access to Justice and Inclusive Admissions Processes” (2022) 31 Dal J Leg Stud 85 - Read Publication
- Koren Lightning-Earle et al., “Law Society of Alberta to Hold a Special Meeting to Debate its Power to Mandate Indigenous Cultural Competency Training” (February 3, 2023), online: ABlawg, - Read Publication
- Sarah Kriekle and Anita Cardinal, “A Failure to Act”, (1 June 2021), online: CBA National Magazine - Read Publication
Presentations and Invited Lectures:
- Presenter, “The federal legislation and child legal representation”, Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, LRCY Roster presentation, May 7, 2025
- Guest Lecturer, ““Indigenous Issues in Wills & Estates”, LAW 582-X50 (Wills & Estates), University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, February 6, 2025
- Presenter, “The Right to Make Representations as an Indigenous Governing Body”, Indigenous Child Welfare Conference 2024, September 18, 2024
- Panelist, “Current Practices and Perspectives in CFS”, Indigenous Child Welfare Conference 2024, September 18, 2024
- Facilitator, “National Indigenous Justice Strategy Wisdom Workshop”, Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, University of Alberta, February 6, 2023.
- Facilitator, “National Indigenous Justice Strategy Wisdom Workshop”, Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, University of Alberta, December 11, 2023.
- Presenter, “Indigenous Law and Family Roles” Family Mediation Canada AGM and Annual Conference: Children’s voices, November 16, 2023
- Guest Lecturer, “Indigenous Law and Law Revitalization” CRIM3600, Trent University, October 30, 2023
- Facilitator, “National Indigenous Justice Strategy Wisdom Workshop”, Indigenous Bar Association Conference, October 15, 2023.
- Presenter and Facilitator, “OCAP and the Health Information Act”, First Nations Data Sovereignty Gathering, Blackfoot Confederacy and Indigenous Primary Care Policy and
- Research Network, June 27-28, 2023 Presenter, “Indigenous Issues in Wills & Estates,” CBA Alberta North, January 17, 2023. - Read More
- Panelist, “Judicial Appointments and Careers Panel”, Indigenous Bar Association Conference Student Day: Walking Together, October 21, 2021.
- Panelist, “Law Tuition”, Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen, April 14, 2021.
Serving the following locations:
- Red Deer
