The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is proud to congratulate Dr. Hadley Friedland on earning the Governor General's Gold Medal, which was presented to her at Spring Convocation on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The Governor General's Gold Medal recognizes the University of Alberta doctoral graduate with the highest academic standing. Dr. Friedland successfully defended her dissertation in January and was presented with her PhD and the Governor General's Gold Medal at the June 8 ceremony.
Dr. Friedland is currently the Research Director of the Indigenous Law Research Unit at the University of Victoria, and an O'Brien Fellow at McGill University's Faculty of Law teaching an intensive seminar on Indigenous laws. She will be joining the University of Alberta Faculty of Law on July 1, 2016 as a Visiting Assistant Professor, for a two-year term.
Originally from Grande Cache, Alberta, Dr. Friedland spent a decade working with children, youth, and families, before pursuing her legal education. She has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across Canada, and spoken and published in the area of Indigenous legal traditions, as well as Aboriginal law, legal theory, criminal justice, family law, child welfare, restorative justice, and therapeutic jurisprudence. She currently serves on the board of the Chimo Youth Retreat Centre in Edmonton and the Aseniwuche Winewak Justice Committee in Grande Cache.
"I am humbled and honoured to have my graduate work receive such an award," said Dr. Friedland. "This honour also reflects the value and possibilities in legal scholarship respectfully and seriously engaging with Indigenous (Cree) laws. I owe a tremendous debt of thanks to my co-supervisors, Dr. Matt Lewans and Dr. Val Napoleon, to my committee, to my family, and to many elders, leaders, and community members from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, for their generous support and guidance throughout. My work would not have been possible without you."
Dr. Friedland has won numerous awards for her graduate work, including a Vanier Scholarship (2011-2014) and the prestigious SSHRC Impact Talent Award (2013). Her PhD dissertation, Reclaiming the Language of Law: The Contemporary Articulation and Application of Cree Legal Principles in Canada, explores how Aboriginal legal traditions can be documented and employed to restore peace, order, and security in First Nations communities. In addition to presenting her research at leading law schools across the country, Dr. Friedland has submitted a manuscript for publication with the University of Toronto Press, and has articles forthcoming in the McGill Law Journal, the University of New Brunswick Law Journal, and the University of Windsor Law Journal.
"Already established nationally and internationally as a voice at the forefront of research into Indigenous law, Dr. Hadley Friedland has demonstrated the highest level of academic excellence throughout her graduate studies," said Dean Paul Paton. "Material adapted from her LLM thesis is used widely in law schools across North America. Her PhD dissertation provides both academic insight and practical guidance on how to facilitate a key recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: that federal, provincial, and territorial governments recognize and implement Aboriginal justice systems in a manner consistent with the rights of Indigenous peoples. Earning the Governor General's Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to Hadley's remarkable research output and impact, her outstanding performance throughout her PhD studies, as well as the importance of her research for the Faculty of Law, the University of Alberta, the Canadian legal community and Indigenous peoples. I am proud to have nominated her for the medal, tremendously pleased to see her work recognized, and delighted that she has agreed to join us in July as a Visiting Assistant Professor to continue her important work."