Second-year law student receives Lou Hyndman Edmonton Glenora Award

Casey Caines, a second-year student at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, is the 2021 recipient of the Lou Hyndman Edmonton Glenora Award. 

The award, valued at $20,000 over two years, is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and involvement in university or community organizations. 

“It is an incredible honour to have received such a prestigious award,” said Caines, ‘23 JD. “I, like so many other Indigenous students entering law school, suffer from imposter syndrome. This award really affirmed for me not only that I belong but also that this community work and care [that I am doing] is necessary and valued.”

With a fierce commitment to social justice, Caines, who is Cree and Slavey from Fort Nelson First Nation, exemplifies the spirit of the leadership award. 

“As a mom of two young girls, I care deeply about ensuring that we are constantly moving towards a more inclusive, equitable, and all around better world for everyone, and especially them,” said Caines. 

As a first-year law student, she attended the UN Youth Summit and was a guest speaker at the G7 Youth Summit where she spoke to youth groups from all over the world. 

In 2020, Caines co-founded the Medicine Box Project, an Indigenous-led community project in Grande Prairie that empowers Indigenous peoples and their allies. The project brings the community together through the growing of sacred medicine and participation in ceremony to build connections with the land and create overall well-being. 

Ending the disproportionate rates of violence and suicide among Indigenous peoples is a central goal of the project. 

Caines also co-founded the Waniska Leadership Retreat, which brings together youth for a three-day retreat in order to raise up the next generation of leaders, balancing traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern practices.

Within the Faculty of Law community, Caines served as the vice-president external for the Indigenous Law Students’ Association. 

“I have no idea where my legal education is going to take me quite yet, but I do know that wherever that may be it will always be in reciprocity with community, and I will continue to use it to advocate for systemic change, particularly concerning Indigenous issues.”

Lou Hyndman

The leadership award honours Faculty of Law alumnus and university chancellor, Lou Hyndman, ‘59 LLB, who was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1967. He went on to be appointed government house leader and minister of education in 1971 when his party won a majority. Hyndman retired from political life in 1986 and returned to practising law. 

In 1994, he was appointed chancellor at the U of A and strongly encouraged students to be well-rounded in their studies and pursue activities that better the community. His own commitment to community service led to his appointment as officer of the Order of Canada in 1993. 

The award is available to students in their second year of studies in the fields of anthropology, business, Canadian studies, economics, education, history, law, political science, psychology, sociology or women's studies.