Pamela Palmater, Chair in Indigenous Governance, awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

The King Charles III Coronation Medals (external link)  honour those who have contributed significantly to Canada or their home province or territory. The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. Among them is Pamela Palmater, a Department of Public Administration professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). A Mi’kmaw citizen and member of Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation) in northern New Brunswick, Palmater's work has had a lasting impact on both Indigenous and academic communities. 

Nominated by Senator Brian Francis (external link) , the former Mi'kmaw Chief of Abegweit First Nation in Prince Edward Island, Palmater attended the award ceremony on April 25, 2025, with the eldest of her two sons, Mitchell. “This award carries a special significance for me because I was nominated by Senator Brian Francis, a member of my Nation - the Mi'kmaw Nation - and someone I've long admired,” Palmater continues, “ He has spent his life working for Mi'kmaw peoples and all First Nations. His nomination is truly an honour and is one of the many ways in which he lifts up other First Nation people.”

Frequently collaborating with other Indigenous experts and human rights organizations, Palmater brings crucial attention to the impacts of systemic racism, misogyny, and violence on Indigenous peoples and their territories through her expert testimonies and submissions. She actively advances human rights and social justice before Parliamentary House and Senate Committees, as well as United Nations human rights treaty bodies and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In addition, Palmater has made invaluable contributions to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission.

At TMU, Palmater’s role as the Chair in Indigenous Governance focuses on Indigenous law, politics, governance, researching, publishing, teaching, and engaging with TMU students and the public through collaboration with First Nations, advocacy groups, Indigenous women's organizations, and grassroots movements, such as land and water protectors. Her current work focuses on Royal Canadian Mounted Police violence against Indigenous women, the role of Indigenous women in grassroots justice, the impacts of assimilation policies like the Indian Act, and the threat of far-right, white nationalist groups in Canada.

Sparking positive social change, Palmater inspires Canadians to face historical and ongoing injustices and to take meaningful action toward building a more equitable and inclusive society. Palmater is a leading voice in fact-based advocacy and public education focused on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Her action-driven initiatives amplify authentic Indigenous perspectives and promote meaningful allyship across Canada. She shares her work through two podcasts, an educational YouTube channel, over 200 published articles, public speaking engagements, and active engagement on social media. These resources are available on her official website, pampalmater.com (external link) .