The Law Society of Saskatchewan announced that the Honourable Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is the recipient of the Willy Hodgson Award which was presented in Regina on March 3, 2006. This award is given in memory of Willy Hodgson, O.C., SOM, and her many contributions to advancing equality and diversity in the administration of justice for the people of Saskatchewan. Ms. Hodgson was a Law Society Lay Bencher from 1997 to 2001.
The award recognizes Judge Turpel-Lafond’s work in building bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, based on the teaching of the elders of kindness and respect. In 1998 she became the first Treaty Indian appointed as Provincial Court judge in Saskatchewan and is noted for her advocacy work for First Nations people, especially women.
