Dr. Val Napoleon

Biography

Val Napoleon is a Professor at the University of Victoria's Faculty of Law and holds the Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice and Governance. With a background in Indigenous legal traditions, Napoleon has made significant contributions to the understanding of Indigenous legal methodologies, legal pluralism, and Indigenous intellectual property. She is a co-founder of the JD/JID dual law degree program and has directed the Indigenous Law Research Unit, focusing on the integration of Indigenous legal orders within Canadian common law. Napoleon is recognized for her work on Indigenous feminisms and the intersection of gender with legal rights, and she teaches courses that blend common law with Indigenous land property systems. She has authored and edited several scholarly works, contributing to the field by exploring topics such as gendered violence, Indigenous citizenship, and restorative justice. Active in academic and practical realms, she is involved in various research projects aimed at supporting Indigenous legal orders and educating on Indigenous law through multiple formats, including online courses and public lectures.

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