Minister of Justice Orders New Appeal in Quewezance Sisters’ Case

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has ordered a new appeal in the case of Nerissa and Odelia Quewezance following a review of their 1994 murder convictions.

Following an in-depth investigation under the Criminal Code’s conviction review provisions, the Minister found reasonable grounds to conclude that a miscarriage of justice likely occurred in the sisters’ convictions. The decision follows the identification of new information that was not before the courts at the time of their trial or previous appeals.

The Minister’s order returns the matter to the courts, where the new information and related legal issues can be considered. The order does not determine the sisters’ guilt or innocence.

Nerissa and Odelia Quewezance, members of Keeseekoose First Nation, were convicted of second-degree murder in 1994 in connection with the death of Anthony Joe Dolf. Both were sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 10 years. They have maintained their innocence.

The sisters have spent much of the three decades since their convictions in custody. In March 2023, they were released on bail while the ministerial review continued.

The sisters’ former youth co-accused, their cousin, has since said that he was solely responsible for Dolf’s death.

Both sisters attended residential school, and the deceased was a long-time employee of St. Philip’s Residential School on Keeseekoose First Nation. Their case has attracted attention from advocates for wrongful-conviction reform and Indigenous justice.

Legal Aid Saskatchewan lawyer and Regional Legal Director Deanna Harris has been part of the legal team supporting the sisters through the ministerial review.

Harris became involved after lawyer James Lockyer of Innocence Canada approached Legal Aid Saskatchewan in 2021 about assisting with the case. The work has provided LAS with an opportunity to develop capacity in an area of law involving wrongful-conviction claims and conviction reviews.

For Harris, the case has also been an opportunity to contribute to addressing a potential historical injustice. “I am so happy with the Minister’s decision,” she says. "So many historical injustices can never be put right, but for Odelia and Nerissa, there is a real chance to make right what was done wrong. I am so happy to be a part of the team working towards that goal on behalf of Legal Aid Saskatchewan.”

The case will now return to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, marking the next stage in a legal process that has spanned more than three decades.

Related reading:

Minister of Justice orders new appeal in Saskatchewan case following conviction review - Canada.ca (September 24, 2025)

Historic Moment in Justice as Sisters Granted Bail During Ministerial Review (April 14, 2023)

Righting a Wrong: How a Legal Aid Saskatchewan Lawyer is Fighting to Undo a Historical Injustice (October 2, 2022)