Cassandra Spade of Mishkeegogamang First Nation is valedictorian of the 2024 graduating class at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.
THUNDER BAY— “I’m going start crying, it’s a very happy day it’s monumental for me and also for my family,” said Cassandra Spade, valedictorian of Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.
“I’m the first lawyer in my family, I’m also the first Indigenous valedictorian at our school, and the speech today will be given in Anishinaabe as well as English,” she said.
Lakehead University celebrated the graduation of its most recent class of law students from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.
Established in 2013, the university marked a significant milestone by awarding degrees to 60 students across the stage, including Spade.
Spade said she celebrated her graduation while honouring her family and culture by wearing traditional regalia made by her husband.
“I come to school wearing handmade things every single day, and it just kind of helps me to centre myself and feel not nervous about being in law school and knowing that my identity, my language, and the Anishinaabe law has a place here,” she said.
Ethan Kwan, the faculty’s second valedictorian said he was just as honoured to walk the stage with his peers.
“I had 11 people come up all the way from Sauble Beach area to visit, which is 16 hours away, so it’s huge, It’s really meaningful,” said Kwan.
Graduation is not only a celebration of student achievement, but also a recognition of the dedication and the contributions of the faculty at the law school.
“For those of us who are educators, graduation is the best day we have, and it’s not because we’re not going to miss our students, but it’s because we are so excited to send them out into the world with all they’ve learned here,” said interim dean Betsy Birmingham.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, numerous awards were presented in recognition of outstanding academic achievements and community contributions.
Multiple other speakers were there including Grand Council Treaty Three and Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Information on the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law can be found here.
source tbnewswatch