You are now in the main content area
Palmater, Pamela

Pamela Palmater

Professor, Chair in Indigenous Governance
EducationDoctorate: J.S.D. (Doctor in the Science of Law): Dalhousie

Biography

Pamela Palmater is a Mi’kmaq lawyer and a member of the Eel River Bar First Nations in northern New Brunswick. She is a Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition to her faculty appointment as a Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Dr. Palmater holds the Chair in Indigenous Governance (opens in new window) , and is also a member of the Yeates School of Graduate Studies, affiliated with the MA program in Public Policy and Administration.

Pamela Palmater completed her Doctorate in the Science of Law (JSD) at Dalhousie University Law Faculty in 2009. Her thesis is entitled: Beyond Blood: Rethinking Aboriginal Identity and Belonging.  In addition, she holds a Master in Laws (LLM) from Dalhousie University in Indigenous Law, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of New Brunswick, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a double major in Native Studies and History from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick.

She was called to the bar in New Brunswick in 1998 and is a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Canadian Bar Association and the Indigenous Bar Association. She worked for the federal government on Indigenous issues for over 10 years. Her position as a lawyer at Justice Canada involved various legal matters pertaining to First Nations. She also held several positions as Director at Indian and Northern Affairs, managing treaties, claims, self-government, land and registration portfolios. She also worked and/or volunteered with national and provincial Indigenous organisations and communities.

Pamela Palmater was one of the 23 Visionary Women Leaders selected to meet and answer the question “What do 23 women envision for our country for the next 150 years?”  A Bold Vision (an organization formed by a coalition of women’s organizations in Prince Edward Island, with support from PEI 2014 Inc.) held a conference in Charlottetown, PEI on September 24-26, 2014 to commemorate the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that led to the formation of Canada, to celebrate the vital role women played and will continue to play in the advancement of Canada, and to update the 1864 vision of the 23 men (the Fathers of Confederation). Canadians nominated women leaders from all walks of life to participate in this discussion of the future of Canada. All of the participants contributed to a book sharing their vision for Canada, which was released during the conference.

Dr. Palmater was elected Associate Senior Fellow at Massey College (UofT), effective 24 April 2015.

In March 2016, Dr. Palmater was invited to be an inaugural member of the External Advisory Council (external link, opens in new window)  of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance (external link, opens in new window) .  On 09 May 2016, the Institute was formally launched at a ceremony at Dalhousie University. View details on the Institute launch (external link) .

On 02 November 2017, Dr. Palmater received the inaugural Award for Excellence in Human Rights presented by the Atlantic Human Rights Centre, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB, and delivered the Vigod Lecture in Human Rights.

On 18 May 2017, a Doctor of Laws honoris causa was conferred on Dr. Palmater (external link)  by the University of New Brunswick.

On 04 October 2016, the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) honoured Dr. Palmater with the Margaret Mead Award, considered the highest honour presented by the Association.  It is given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in the field of community corrections through guidance, innovative ideas, influence on policy and/or dedicated service to the ideals and goals of community-based correctional programming.  Dr. Palmater was recognised as a leader, an innovator, and a social justice advocate.

On 29 May 2016, Dr. Palmater was named recipient of the 19th annual J.S. Woodsworth Woman of Excellence Award.  The award was presented by the Hon. Andrea Horwath, Leader, Ontario New Democratic Party.

In May 2016 the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario recognized Dr. Palmater as one of 21 inspirational First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women in Canada.  The contributions of the women are commemorated in a  (PDF file) poster to be circulated to all elementary schools in Ontario.  

At an Award Dinner on 26 March 2015, in St. John, NB, Dr. Palmater received the University of New Brunswick 2015 UNB Alumni Award of Distinction (external link)  for her social justice work for First Nations that has been recognized nationally and internationally.

On 29 October 2012, Dr. Palmater was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society (external link)  by Kim Brooks, Dean, Schulich School of Law (external link) , Dalhousie University.  View photos of the ceremony.

Recognising her as "... a trailblazing role model for young Indigenous women, planting seeds of change that are transforming Indigenous communities across Canada,” the YWCA named her a Woman of Distinction (external link)  in the Social Justice category for 2012.

Dr. Palmater's current research interests relate to Indigenous Governance matters, specifically how land and natural resources, treaties and Indigenous rights, jurisdiction and law-making powers and citizenship and identity issues can contribute to stronger Indigenous families, communities, organisations and Nations.  A key part of this research is the ever-changing political structures and relationships within and between Indigenous communities, their relationships with the state and on the international stage. She is interested in partnering with Indigenous organisations and communities to conduct further research in these areas.

Dr. Palmater’s areas of teaching expertise and interest include Indigenous Governance and Justice; Comparative Indigenous Studies; Human Rights (both domestic and international); and Constitutional Law (including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms), and she can supervise students who wish to undertake independent studies, Masters or doctoral studies in research areas relating to Indigenous peoples.