Frankie Young

Research interests

• Indigenous business law
• Indigenous governance and self-determination
• Trusts
• Legal issues in Indigenous economic development
• Legal pluralism

Biography

Professor Young’s scholarly work focuses on Indigenous business law, Indigenous economic development, business organizations, trusts, and legal pluralism. She holds a PhD from the University of Ottawa, an LL.M. and J.D. from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Bachelor of Organizational Management from Crandall University. She brings to academia a unique blend of scholarship, legal practice, business experience, and community-centered research gained through her work as a lawyer, consultant, corporate trustee, and community researcher.

Professor Young’s research explores the intersection of Indigenous legal orders, economic development, governance, and self-determination. Her scholarship has appeared in leading Canadian law journals and addresses topics such as Indigenous business organizations, Indigenous trusts, legal pluralism, and the application of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) to economic and legal decision-making. She is actively involved in collaborative research initiatives focused on Indigenous nation-building, governance, community well-being, and sustainable economic development, particularly through partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Professor Young has taught and developed courses in Indigenous peoples and the law, property law, business organizations, trusts, and Indigenous economic development. Her work examines how Indigenous and non-Indigenous legal orders can operate together in ways that promote equity, support Indigenous self-determination, and foster sustainable prosperity. She is committed to advancing reconciliation through legal education, community engagement, and research conducted in partnership with Indigenous communities that respects and upholds the OCAP® Principles.

Courses taught

• Indigenous People and the Law
• Property Law
• Business Law
• Indigenous Self-Government and Economies
• Trust Law

Selected publications

“Indigenous People's Path to Self-Determination: Sustainability and Corporate Accountability” in Research Handbook on Sustainability and Corporate Accountability (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2026).

“The Uses and Limits of the Oppression Remedies in Indigenous Organizations”, (2025) 70:2 Canadian Business Law Journal 139 (with Anna Lund).

“Etuaptmumk: A Means to Advance Indigenous Economic Development in a Good Way” (2023) 46:1 Dal LJ.

“The Implications of Sections 89 and 90 of the Indian Act in Using Indigenous Trusts as Collateral in Secured Property Transactions for First Nations” (2022) 37.2 Banking & Finance Law Review.

“Positioning Indigenous Law in the Legally Pluralistic State of Canada” (2021) vol 6(1) Cambridge Law Review 30.

“Indigenous Economic Development and Sustainability: Maintaining the Integrity of Indigenous Culture in Corporate Governance” (2021) vol 17:2 MJSDL 147.

“Considering Trust Investment Principles Through the Lens of Two-Eyed Seeing” (2020) 40 E.T.P.J. 97.

“A Trojan Horse: Can Self-Government be Promoted Within the Indian Act?” (2019) 97:3 Canadian Bar Review 697.