Image courtesy of University of Toronto. Photo by David Ball.
Editorial note: This post was originally published in the GRASAC Newsletter in June 2025 and is republished here for broader access.
We are incredibly proud to share that GRASAC member Professor John Borrows, the inaugural Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, has been awarded the Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize!
The Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to human rights and to the University of Toronto’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The prize is awarded in two categories—Influential Leader and Emerging Leader—and honours work in scholarship, community service, and institutional change.
This year, Professor John Borrows was named an Influential Leader for his extraordinary impact on Indigenous legal education and human rights. An Anishinaabe scholar and a member of the Chippewas of the Nawash First Nation, Professor Borrows has reshaped how law is taught and understood in Canada. His research has reached audiences across the globe—from courtrooms and classrooms to policy circles—and has emphasized the importance of revitalizing Indigenous legal traditions as a part of meaningful reconciliation.
Among his many achievements, Professor Borrows has received the Killam Prize, the Governor General’s Innovation Award, seven honorary doctorates, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. His teachings highlight Indigenous perspectives on lawmaking, environmental responsibility, and the importance of land-based education. Notably, he developed a now-celebrated land-based Indigenous law program in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #28—now taught at four Ontario universities in collaboration with First Nations communities.
Reflecting on his long-time involvement with GRASAC and Indigenous legal traditions, Professor Borrows shared:
I have enjoyed being a part of GRASAC since 2006. Our trip to the British Museum that year, to meet with our relatives—the pipes, drums, wampum belts, and otter skins—left a deep impression on me. We were able to feast some of them in the back alleys of London when the museum staff let us take them outside. Being with Alan Corbiere, Heidi Bohaker, Darlene Johnston and others was a huge highlight. My daughter Lindsay also accompanied us on the trip. She now teaches at Queen’s Law School and we teach Anishinaabe Law at home at Cape Croker from time to time. Through the years I have worked on the revitalization of Anishinaabe law and other Indigenous legal traditions in many law schools. Returning to Ontario and working on these issues at U of T again is a great feeling.
Professor Borrows’ influence continues to ripple through legal and community spaces, and we’re honoured to count him among GRASAC’s long-standing members. Congratulations!
Full Announcement Here
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