"I am proud to have nominated her for the medal, tremendously pleased to see her work recognized" said the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, Dr. Paul Paton during the Spring Convocation on June 8, 2016.

"...and delighted that she has agreed to join us in July as a Visiting Assistant Professor to continue her important work" he added.

The State and indigenous legal cultures: Law in search of legitimacy. She is also a member of the Indigenous Law Research Unit to research and substantively articulate indigenous Law in partnership with indigenous communities across Canada that she leads currently.

 Dr. Friedland won several awards during her graduate studies including a Vanier Scholarship from 2011to 2014 and the prestigious SSHRC Impact Talent Award in 2013. Her PhD dissertation entitled 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.

"I felt very honoured to win this award for my graduate work. I always commit to working hard to respectfully engage with Indigenous laws. I try my best in my work to adequately reflect the hope, strengths and wisdom I hear from within Indigenous communities. I hope this award reflects that".

The project team would like to congratulate Dr. Friedland for this distinction and wish her all the success in her academic career and to continue her excellent work to advance and defend the Indigenous cause.