Justin Basinger Memorial Award
Donation protected
“I’m going to miss his laugh.” – everyone who knew Justin. Justin Basinger passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2020 at the age of 33.
Justin was a lawyer with fierce pride in his Métis heritage. He was an advocate – for anyone who could use his help, but particularly for Indigenous and LGBTQ2 people.
With a bright and near-constant smile, uproarious laugh, and perpetual eagerness to meet people and explore the world, Justin made friends everywhere he went. Nothing we can say will do his memory justice, but it’s fair to remember that Justin was all of the following in equal measure: fun, intelligent, engaging, modest, empathetic, non-judgmental, driven, smiley, and kind. Justin was always up for a good time, and always down to meet, chat with, and help the people he loved. (Plus, his karaoke rendition of “Ms. New Booty” would give Bubba Sparxxx a run for his money.)
At the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Justin co-edited the Indigenous Law Journal, the first and only Canadian legal journal to exclusively publish articles regarding Indigenous legal issues. As a lawyer, he joined the board of Aboriginal Legal Services, where he worked tirelessly over the years to support Indigenous legal initiatives and, ultimately, to improve lives.
To honour Justin’s memory, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law will establish the Justin Basinger Memorial Award, to recognize the best essay concerning Indigenous legal issues. Essays will be evaluated by a panel, including a representative of the Faculty's Indigenous Initiatives Office.
We hope Justin’s legacy will inspire more young lawyers to take up his causes and, like Justin, make the world better.
A note on tax receipts: We decided to use GoFundMe because it is convenient and easy to share. For donations above $5, UofT Law will issue a charitable receipt if you make your donation through its portal (ie not on GoFundMe). In order to direct your donation, please select "Justin Basinger Memorial Award" (under More Giving Options).
Thank you for your generous support.
Justin was a lawyer with fierce pride in his Métis heritage. He was an advocate – for anyone who could use his help, but particularly for Indigenous and LGBTQ2 people.
With a bright and near-constant smile, uproarious laugh, and perpetual eagerness to meet people and explore the world, Justin made friends everywhere he went. Nothing we can say will do his memory justice, but it’s fair to remember that Justin was all of the following in equal measure: fun, intelligent, engaging, modest, empathetic, non-judgmental, driven, smiley, and kind. Justin was always up for a good time, and always down to meet, chat with, and help the people he loved. (Plus, his karaoke rendition of “Ms. New Booty” would give Bubba Sparxxx a run for his money.)
At the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Justin co-edited the Indigenous Law Journal, the first and only Canadian legal journal to exclusively publish articles regarding Indigenous legal issues. As a lawyer, he joined the board of Aboriginal Legal Services, where he worked tirelessly over the years to support Indigenous legal initiatives and, ultimately, to improve lives.
To honour Justin’s memory, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law will establish the Justin Basinger Memorial Award, to recognize the best essay concerning Indigenous legal issues. Essays will be evaluated by a panel, including a representative of the Faculty's Indigenous Initiatives Office.
We hope Justin’s legacy will inspire more young lawyers to take up his causes and, like Justin, make the world better.
A note on tax receipts: We decided to use GoFundMe because it is convenient and easy to share. For donations above $5, UofT Law will issue a charitable receipt if you make your donation through its portal (ie not on GoFundMe). In order to direct your donation, please select "Justin Basinger Memorial Award" (under More Giving Options).
Thank you for your generous support.
Fundraising team (3)
Jonathan Schachter
Organizer
York, ON
Amanda Carling
Team member
Mireille Giroux
Team member
