Mi’kmaw Lawyer • Author • Advocate
Indigenous Rights, Truth & Justice
Dr. Pam Palmater is a Mi’kmaw lawyer, professor, author, and Indigenous rights advocate. A citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and member of Eel River Bar First Nation, she has spent more than 30 years working with First Nations, Indigenous women’s organizations, grassroots movements, and human rights groups to challenge discriminatory government laws, policies, and practices and advance Indigenous rights and self-determination.
Pam is a Professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University. She holds four university degrees, including a doctorate in law, and has authored more than 200 publications on Indigenous rights, international human rights, violence against Indigenous women and girls, systemic racism and police misconduct, and genocide.
Beyond academia, Pam has played an active role in Indigenous political movements, community organizing, and public advocacy. As one of the spokespersons and educators for the Idle No More movement, she helped raise national awareness of Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and government accountability. She continues to work with First Nations women, leaders, and community activists on issues affecting their communities.
Pam regularly provides legal and political analysis, expert advice, and testimony before Parliamentary and Senate committees, national inquiries, and United Nations treaty bodies. Her research and recommendations have contributed to legal and policy reform and informed major public inquiries, including the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission.
Through public speaking, writing, podcasts, YouTube, and documentary filmmaking, Pam makes complex legal and political issues accessible to broader audiences. She is a regular media commentator, appearing on CBC, CTV, Global News, and APTN, with contributions to publications including the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Hill Times, Maclean’s and Chatelaine. Her work has received numerous awards and recognitions for contributions to law, education, and social justice.
Pam also delivers keynotes, workshops, and professional training for educational institutions, governments, professional societies, and community organizations seeking to better understand Indigenous rights, government accountability, and meaningful reconciliation.
Education
Doctor in the Science of Law (JSD)
Dalhousie University (2009)
Indigenous Law
Master of Laws Degree (LLM)
Dalhousie University (1999)
Indigenous Law
Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB)
University of New Brunswick (1997)
Fasken Campbell Godfrey Prize in Environmental Law
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)
Saint Thomas University (1994)
Double Major in Native Studies & History
Awards
- King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025)
Nominated by Senator Brian Francis. - Royal Society of Canada (2023)
College Member - Knowledge Mobilization Award (2022)
Institute for Research on Public Policy - Honorary Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) (2022)
Dalhousie University - Toronto’s Most Inspiring Women (2021)
Streets of Toronto - 100 Most Influential People in 2021 in Government & Politics (2021)
The Hill Times – Power Players - Liberty Award for Excellence in Legal Advocacy (2018)
BC Civil Liberties Association - Power List: Top 25 Most Influential Movers & Shakers (2017)
Financial Post Magazine - Award for Excellence in Human Rights (2017)
Atlantic Human Rights Centre - Honorary Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) (2017)
University of New Brunswick - Margaret Mead Award in Social Justice (2016)
International Community Corrections Association - Woman of Excellence (2016)
J.S. Woodsworth Awards for Human Rights & Equity - UNB Alumni Award of Distinction (2015)
University of New Brunswick - Building a Better World Designation: Nation-Builder (2014)
Dalhousie University - Canada’s Top Visionary Women Leaders: Top 23 (2014)
A Bold Vision - Top 25 Most Influential Lawyer: Top 5 in Human Rights (2013)
Canadian Lawyer Magazine - Bertha Wilson Honour Society (2012) (Inaugural Inductee)
Dalhousie Law School - Women’s Courage Award in Social Justice (2012)
Endless Possibilities & Hope - Woman of Distinction Award in Social Justice (2012)
YWCA