High honours are being given to a Lakehead University law student working in Fort Frances.

The Royal Society of Canada is awarding Cassandra Spade with a Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize.

It honours recent law students who are most likely to influence equity and social justice in Canada.

“I share this honour with all of the change-makers across Northern Ontario who inspire me and who are positively influencing and changing our communities,” stated Spade.

“This recognition is a celebration of the brilliance of our region and reminds me of the work I plan to do in support of local Indigenous communities as I begin my practice.”

Spade, who is from Mishkeegogamang First Nation, graduated from L.U.’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in May, delivering the valedictorian address in Anishinaabemowin.

The Society is also recognizing Spade for her development of Gaa-Minwaajindizowaaj, a grassroots organization that provides Anishinaabe language and cultural programming.

It states that during her studies, Spade contributed to projects that increased access to and awareness of the Anishinaabe language and law.

She is currently working as a student-at-law for Judson-Howie, with formal admission as a lawyer expected this fall.