John Hawthorne, a second-year law student at Thompson Rivers University, has received the Dean’s Course Prize for earning the highest grade in the First Nations Governance and Economic Development course. The award was announced at a recent Faculty of Law reception recognizing academic excellence and the contributions of faculty and staff.
Hawthorne, who was born and raised in Chemainus, was honoured for his course paper analyzing the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2021 decision in R v Desautel. The paper examined how the decision affects Indigenous Law, in particular, the Crown’s duty to consult both domestic and international First Nations groups.
“John’s legal research and writing skills are of the highest level,” said Professor Murray Sholty, who taught the course. “His paper identified and discussed issues with insight and originality.”
Hawthorne currently works as a research assistant to Professor Craig E. Jones, K.C., contributing to a book project on First Nations history in B.C.’s Interior Plateau during the life of Chief N’Kwala (Nicola). Jones described one of Hawthorne’s memos as “the best piece of student legal writing I’ve seen.”
Before entering law school, Hawthorne was a student-athlete, competing in NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey for Northern Michigan University and Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.. He graduated summa cum laude with a history degree in 2023 and received multiple academic honours, including the Nicholas J. Sullivan Award for Excellence in Historical Writing and the David J. Valaik Scholarship in History.
Hawthorne is passionate about equality and access to justice and is expected to continue building on his early success.
“This achievement highlights his work ethic and high-level intellect,” said Sholty. “I am confident this is only the beginning of John's impressive accomplishments, as he will continue to expand his expertise and inspire those around him.”
