In keeping with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal organizations, to fund the establishment of Indigenous law institutes for the development, use, and understanding of Indigenous laws and access to justice in accordance with the unique cultures of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Why “In Progress?”
May 17, 2021: Department of Justice announced the Government of Canada’s support for 21 projects that respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action 50. The Department is providing funding for a total of $9.5 million for 21 projects through its Justice Partnership and Innovation Program. This funding will help First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to respond effectively to the changing conditions affecting Canadian justice policy by supporting the revitalization of Indigenous law in all regions of Canada. (See below for project details)
Sept. 3, 2020: A $13-million investment by the Province will enable the University of Victoria (UVic) to build its much-anticipated National Centre for Indigenous Laws. The federal government announced in Budget 2019 (March 20, 2019), $9.1 million over 3 years for a national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws that will house the world’s first joint degree in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian common law JD/JID). Starting in 2019/20, the funds will support the construction of “an Indigenous Legal Lodge at the University of Victoria.
Two other Indigenous Law programs have also started:
- The Schulich School of Law introduced the JD Certificate in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law in the fall of 2020 and
- Lakehead University is establishing a new Indigenous law and justice institute, the Maamawi Bimosewag – They Walk Together Institute.
Sept. 5, 2019 – Budget 2019 also invests $10M over 5 years for Indigenous law initiatives through The Justice Partnership and Innovation Program to improve equality for Indigenous peoples in Canada’s legal system
Current Status
In Progress
Call to Action
last updated
October 30, 2024
Latest Updates
Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Trespassing conviction makes history for First Nation law in Ontario
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Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Filling the gaps in Indigenous law
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Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Mistissini Governance Project
The Government of Canada’s support to the Cree Nation of Mistissini for their Mistissini Governance Project, which will revitalize Cree legal principles and traditions within……
March 17, 2022
University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
Jan. 27, 2022: University of Ottawa – The University of Ottawa is launching Canada’s first French-language Indigenous law program in an effort to “help revitalize Indigenous legal……
January 27, 2022
Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Revitalizing Indigenous Laws is an outcome of the “Accessing Justice and Reconciliation” project, a partnership between the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Law Research Unit, Indigenous……
July 8, 2021
Revitalizing Indigenous Laws
Revitalization of Indigenous laws across Canada
Department of Justice Backgrounder May 18, 2021 – Budget 2019 announced $10 million over five years to support renewed legal relationships with Indigenous peoples through the……
May 18, 2021
Lakehead University
Maamawi Bimosewag – They Walk Together Institute: Lakehead University
Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law will soon be home to a new Indigenous law and justice institute. The Maamawi Bimosewag – They Walk Together……
March 26, 2021
Schulich School of Law
Schulich School of Law: JD certificate in Aboriginal and Indigenous law
The Schulich School of Law introduced the JD Certificate in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law last fall. Naiomi Metallic an assistant professor in the Schulich School and……
February 18, 2021
Schulich School of Law
Funding to UVic
The federal government announced in Budget 2019 $9.1 million over 3 years for a national centre of excellence for the study and understanding of Indigenous laws that……
March 20, 2020
Schulich School of Law
Indigenous Law Initiatives
Budget 2019 also invests $10M over 5 years for Indigenous law initiatives through The Justice Partnership and Innovation Program to improve equality for Indigenous peoples in Canada’s legal……
September 5, 2019