Faculty of Law staff member Amanda Carling recognized for support of Indigenous students
Published: July 14, 2020
Amanda Carling, the manager of the Indigenous Initiatives Office at U of T’s Faculty of Law, has received the Precedent Setter Award for her dedication to systemic change.
Created by Toronto’s Precedent magazine, the award recognizes new lawyers who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their practice and their community.
“In her role at U of T, Carling supports Indigenous students and injects Indigenous-related programming into the curriculum,” wrote Precedent’s Matthew Halliday. “Because her work is about connecting with the next generation of legal talent, Carling is able to have a far-reaching impact on the entire justice system."
Carling talked with Precedent magazine about growing up Métis in Winnipeg where, as a criminology student, she spent a day shadowing a judge in court. “Every single person who came before the court was Indigenous,” she said. “Many were kids, some without a parent present. I thought, ‘What chance do they have?’”
Carling says while she's grateful to have been recognized, “What makes this award most meaningful to me is the fact of having been nominated by a group of thoughtful, intelligent, kind and generous Indigenous lawyers and allies.”
